New Ubin Seafood Sin Ming

New Ubin Seafood is a Singapore family run business offering fresh seafood and top quality meats, served in a unique array of Zi Char, Southern Indian and other Asian/Western cooking styles. The outlay of the restaurant is sort like a kampong which represents the true essence of Pulau Ubin.

New Ubin Seafood instantly became one of my favorite "zi char" places in Singapore after I went there for dinner with my dad one night. The next time my family wants a gathering (they have private rooms too), I would recommend them to go here because the food is delicious and affordable. 

Below are some of the dishes I ordered and here's my review:

Foie Gras Egg Special $9

Comments: An example of top class food (Foie Gras) mix with coffee shop style (60 min slow-cooked egg). But don't be fooled because the combination was flawless. Singaporeans are used to having soft boiled eggs for breakfast, putting soy/dark soy sauce. As a substitute for the sauce, the foie gras topped with truffle salt compliments the dish perfectly. 

Home Smoked Pork Collar ($14/S, $20/L)

Comments: This is a must try!!! Similar to the taste and texture of Char Siew, but much more delicious due to the marination. It's something I would order again and again.

Salted Egg Oyster ($15/S, $18/M, $24/L)

Comments: If you are a fan of salted egg dishes and a fan of oysters like me, this is a must try. On first try, it may taste weird, but on second bite, it makes me want to eat more. The only downside is that it can be quite filling and that you can't enjoy the other delicious food available.

Boss Bee Hoon ($8/S, $14/M, $16/L)

Comments: Why is it named Boss Bee Hoon? I reckon it's because it's the boss signature dish. Not your typical tze char bee hoon that you normally find. A tinge of sweetness and a slight spice to it, makes it something you should try. (S) are individual portions, so you can just order a small to share if you go as a couple, because I feel the hokkien mee (below) tastes nicer.

Fried Hokkien Mee Special ($12/S, $24/L)

Comments: Basically I feel anything with pork lard mostly tastes nice. But the Hokkien Mee served here is really good. The flavor is just right and the stock is delicious. Together with pork belly, baby squids, clams and prawn, my dad and I found ourselves finishing the plate of noodles in a jiffy.

Har Cheong Kai (Shrimp Paste Chicken) ($14/S, $18/M, $20/L)

Comments: I haven't tried many fried chicken wings in Singapore but the chicken wings here are delicious. Crispy with every bite and not very oily. Can order if you love fried chicken wings.

Baby Kai Lan (Boss Style) ($8/S, $12/M, $16/L)

Comment: Fresh crunchy vegetables. Don't really order Kai Lan regularly (normally go for kang kong or sweet potato leaves), I found the dish normal in taste. A bit different would be the fried shredded Kai Lan leaves with silver fish on top.

Overall Review: As it was only me and my dad eating, we didn't order anything big. Overall the food was really delicious and the next time I go back, I would like to order their crabs and steak to try. Remember to make a reservation 2-3 days before because they are normally full house during the weekends.

Like them here: New Ubin Seafood Sin Ming

Website: Ubin Seafood

Details of the place: Block 27 Sin Ming Road (behind Block 26) #01-174, Sin Ming Industrial Estate Sector A, Singapore 575680

Hotline: (+65) 6466 9558 or (+65) 9740 6870 (after operating hours)

Operating Hours: 

Lunch - Tue - Fri: 1100 hrs - 1400 hrs; Sat, Sun & PH: 1130 hrs - 1430 hrs (Closed for lunch on Mon)

Dinner - Daily: 1730 hrs - 2230 hrs

Kungfu Paradise

The paradise group have been making waves in Singapore with their chain of restaurants. Kungfu Paradise is one such restaurant that they own. A restaurant that offers Taiwanese food. Went to try some of their dishes at the Bugis+ outlet. Here is my review.

Signboard

Original French Toast $3.20

Comments: Tastes better than Xin Wang's. The bread is toasted well on the outside to give that crunchy taste  but is soft on the inside. The egg plus the butter on top make the whole dish really delicious.

Taiwan Sausage $4.20

Comments: Tasted normal. Nothing special. Prefer those from the "pasar malam". A bit oily though.

Liu Sha Bao $3.90

Comments: A nice liu sha bao has a free flowing inside and the photo below will show how good they made it.

Liu Sha Bao filling

Comments: The free flowing filling (I think is salted egg) is really nice. It's warm, sweet and salty taste mixes really well. Best to eat it warm.

Sweet and Sour Chicken Rice $8.90

Comments: Nice chunks of slightly fatty chicken pieces. Tasty sauce to accompany the meat. Quite delicious. Worth the order.

Poached Marble Beef with Korean Noodles $10.90

Comments: Really disappointed with this dish. It's just instant noodles with beef and sadly the beef was really tough. The lava egg was ok. The soup was just like those from packet noodles.

Overall Review: Overall food is affordable and nice. The staff at bugis+ offered great service. The place is also quite pack during meal time compared to other restaurants nearby.

Website: KungFu Paradise

Outlets: KungFu Paradise Outlets

Sushi Tei

There are many Japanese food chains in Singapore. Sushi Tei ranks as one of those at the top for me. Their dishes are different and really fresh. They also have seasonal menus which brings out creativity from their chefs from different outlets.These are some of the dishes ordered when me and some friends went to Sushi Tei.

Salmon Belly $8

Comments: Salmon belly tastes better than normal salmon sashimi. In fact most fish bellies taste more delicious, i.e Tuna, yellowtail. It may also cost slightly more expensive. Whenever I order bellies in Japanese restaurant, I would always request for the fatty parts as it contains all that juice and the fish will literally melt in your mouth. Don't worry as it's all omega vitamins.

Zuwai Gani Chawanmushi $6.50

Comments: Crabmeat with Chawanmushi. This dish is not bad.

Ikura Chawanmushi $7.80

Comments: Ikura, also known as salmon roe is one of the most important in the Japanese Cuisine. This dish is for people who love Chawanmushi and Ikura as it is a dream combo having both as a dish.

Mini Dragon Roll 

Comments: Did not really like the taste of this dish as the sweetness of the mango did not compliment the 

Hotate Mentai $9.80

Comments: Scallop covered with mentai mayo. Really delicious. Do try it. May be a little bit salty for some.

Kaisen Kaminabe $16.80

Comments: As you can see, the ingredients are really fresh. Boiled to cook with their tasty miso soup. Really good if it's on a rainy day. Don't forget to ask for refill of soup :)

Cha Soba $8.50

Comments: I always love cha soba above all other types of noodles as it is really healthy and tasty. I have a habit of adding a little wasabi in the soy sauce when eating cha soba. The correct way to eat it is to dip the green tea noodles in to the sauce and slurp it up from there.

Teriyaki Chicken

Comments: Tender chicken on a bed of rice. Didn't taste much of the dish as it was ordered by my friend. But a nice dish overall.

Overall Review: Delicious and innovative Japanese food. Do try their seasonal menu if you have the chance. 

Website: Sushi Tei

Facebook: Like Them Here (Singapore outlets)

Details of the place: Outlets

Gurney Drive

Penang is known as a  food haven in Malaysia, so when this place was introduce to me, I decided to give it a try.

The Entrance @ Terminal 3 (airport)

Ampla Juice (L) $3.80 and Nutmeg Juice (R) $3.50

Both regular size

Comments: The Ampla juice tastes nicer than the Nutmeg. The Nutmeg has a bit of bitter taste, but it's good for health.

Penang Side Dish Platter $13.90

Comments: Enjoyed the cheese tofu, could really taste the cheese inside. The lemon chicken was not bad too, crispy and the lemon sauce was nice. The chicken wing and drumstick was a bit dry. The Lor Bak: A must try Penang dish. Succulent pork, seasoned with a special concoction of spices, rolled and wrapped in crispy-thin, homemade beancurd sheets.

Penang Hokkien Prawn Noodle $6.50

Comments: That's extra chilli by the way, just the way my friend likes it. The soup was very tasty, noodles tangy, prawn very fresh. A really nice dish especially for people who like prawn noodles.

Premium Seafood Fried Koay Teow $10.90

Comments: Really love the sweetness in this dish. Fresh prawns used, there were cockles, squid. A bit spicy but the sweetness blends perfectly. Could order the cheaper alternative at $7.50 if you wish to.

King of Chendol $5.90

Comments: After a sumptuous meal, it's always nice to have some local dessert. Chendol is one of my favorite dessert. This one has lots of Gula Melaka. The fillings are as good as other places, too bad not atap chee. 

Overall Review: Really enjoyed the food there. It may be considered slightly expensive given that most of those food can be found at cheaper prices at hawker centres. But the food is considered to be tastier than those is hawker centers.

Website: Gurney Drive

Details of the Place: Gurney Drive Locations

Dian Xiao Er/店小二

A nice place for lunch or dinner, most famous for their ducks. But I feel their standards have kinda drop because their ducks no longer have tender meat, but still full of flavor. Introducing Dian Xiao Er 店小二, which has many outlets all over Singapore. I normally go for the Set B and change the Stir Fried Bitter Gourd & Pumpkin to Baby Kai-Lan with Salted Fish and Lime and choose the 东坡肉/Dong Po Rou over the Mongolian Pork Ribs.

Ten Wonder Duck

Comments: My favorite version of their duck. Sweet and slightly salty taste.

Golden Tofu

Comments: Nothing fantastic, the tofu is not the egg tofu type where it's soft. This is quite filling and slightly dry

东坡肉/Dong Po Rou

Comments: Has that layer of fat but the meat is mostly overcooked, leaving it dry and difficult to chew

Baby Kai-Lan with Salted Fish and Lime

Comments: Sometimes they overdose on the lime which makes it too sour and killing all of the taste of what is suppose to be a nice vegetable dish.

Poached Bamboo Pith with Asparagus

Comments: Don't really like the dish but don't hate it. At least the asparagus was crunchy.

Angelica Duck $24.30 (M)

Comments: This duck has loads of herbs taste in it. That bitter sweet taste on a well-roasted duck with the sauce mixed with rice is just delicious.

Overall review: The set B costs $82 for 4 people. Dian Xiao Er is a good place for small gatherings with friends for dinner. Although their duck is not as fantastic as compared to other places, probably because they rush through their cooking, it is decent enough to have an enjoyable meal. 

Details of the place: Dian Xiao Er Outlets

Recommendation: 7/10