Song Kee Kway Teow Noodle Soup 松記粿條湯 - Fishball Noodle open till Midnight.

Operating Days: Daily

Operating Time: 10.30 AM to 12 AM

Address: 75 Toa Payoh Lorong 5, #01-20, S 310075 

Toa Payoh Lorong 5 hawker centre is a place for supper, with only a few stalls that starts their business in the morning. Song Kee Kway Teow Noodle soup is one of the very few stalls that start their business early.

Having been around for decades, many regulars will come by this stall in for their fish ball noodles.

I am amazed by how they are able to have the fish ball machines in a small stall. Do have a look when you are queuing up for their food.

I ordered my usual dry version of Mee Pok noodles. It came with 7 fish balls, priced at $4. They have the $3.50 portion as well which is suitable for someone who is not feeling too hungry.

The owner was very generous with the amount of pork lard and spring onions given in every bowl. It is not the “healthier choice” of course, but I like the way how the noodles were not too dry overall. Each mouthful were filled with the fragrance from the pork lard, which might be too rich for some depending on individual’s taste. In addition, the Chilli here is very worth mentioning as well. It was paired very well with the ketchup included. It will be better if the noodle can be served slightly harder as I felt it was a little over cooked in my opinion.

The Fish balls were bouncy and fresh. Every bite taken has had good texture and it makes you want to eat more.

What I like about Song Kee is the type of seasoning used for its noodle. It has lots of pork lard bits and fried shallots, which goes very well with the chilli base, giving a nice combination overall and definitely makes a fulfilling dinner / supper. 

Creamier - Good Waffle with Ice cream located in peaceful area

Operating Hours: 

12 PM - 10 PM (Tuesdays to Thursdays And Sundays)

12 PM - 11 PM (Fridays to Saturdays)

Operating Days: Closed on Mondays

Address: 

Toa Payoh - 128 Toa Payoh Lorong 1, #01-835, S 310128

Gillman Barracks - 5A Lock Road, S 108927

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Started in 2011, Creamier opened its first cafe in Toa Payoh. In 2016, they opened their next cafe at Gillman Barracks. Both cafes are located at a peaceful area. Many people may wonder "Where is Gillman Barracks?" Although people were still asking this question, this Creamier branch still draws crowd especially at night and during weekends.

One thing I noticed about both cafes is the space between each table. It is quite cramped with limited seats. Creamier can hardly accommodate most of their customers especially during its peak hours. This place was packed with people! The one thing I don't like is the super small table and the cramp dining area in both cafes. I was sitting in the middle of the cafe and it was so cramped that I had to lean forward whenever a person walked pass me.

Creamier sells waffle, ice cream, and beverages. 

Creamier’s interior looks lovely with the hanging artworks. 

The most common thing people are doing when we were there was to wait, be waiting for a seat or waiting for their ice-cream waffle.

A must order is their Waffle with Ice cream at $9, and since we are already here, might as well just get an extra scoop of ice cream! 

Look at the number of different flavors they served! They have some unique ones, such as Thai Milk tea, Black Forest and Kaya flavors! Was told to wait for about 30 minutes to serve our orders.

Ordered their Waffle with Ice Cream with an additional scoop of Ice Cream. Ordered Cookies and cream with Kaya. They are generous in terms of the portion of their ice cream, a great plus. Their ice cream is very nice especially their Kaya, not too sweet and full of creamy milk taste, I will order their kaya flavor ice cream again in future.

The double thick waffles were slightly crispy around the edges and moist on the inside with egg fragrance,  topped with honey and chocolate sauce around the plate. 

Although there's always a large crowd, their waffles still maintain their fluffiness & crispiness and their ice cream are consistently good

With most cafes selling waffles, which is the best? At creamier, the waffle they served are one of the better ones I've tried so far. However, who knows there may be new cafe that serve better waffles appearing on street the next day.

The location of Creamier is quite inconvenient for friends who are not driving, but well nowadays private hire cars are quite affordable, but probably not for frequent visits unless you are driving or staying around the area.

Hiang Ji Roasted Meat and Noodle House 享记烧腊面家 - Fatty Char Siew & Roast Duck for Lunch

Operating Hours: 10 AM - 10 PM

Operating Days: Daily

Address: 190 Toa Payoh Lorong 6, #01-512, S 310190

We decided to have our lunch over at this stall named Hiang Ji Roasted Meat & Noodle House 享记烧腊面家 at a corner of the back lane opposite HDB Hub, we thought that their food should be quite nice to eat. Even before you find your seats, the staff will take your order, talking about proactive.

We looked through the menu and started to order. The staff was very attentive.

After they got our order, food arrived within 5 to 10 minutes.

Order Char Siew rice, Roasted duck Noodle, and dumpling soup.

They provided pickled spicy vegetables placed on the side to pair with the Char siew. Their dark gravy-like sauce is what different from the other average roast pork stalls. Those who like their rice to be filled with gravy, do ask them for more sauce.

The Char Siew is sweet, caramelized and fatty. I believed they used pork belly as it was juicier and fatter than other Char Siew that I have tasted. 

Very impressed with the size of the dumplings. Big and generously stuffed with chestnut bits, prawn, and minced pork. The filling was all well seasoned.

The duck meat mostly gave meat with bones but the meat is tender and moist, a lot of fats between the meat and skin.

The noodle is springy mixed with the dark soya sauce and chili. One bad thing is a bit too oily for me due to added pork lards. 

Those who do like the noodle with lots of lard, I definitely recommend it.

Chao Zhou Fishball Noodle 潮洲魚丸粿條面 - $3 for 5 Big Fishballs....With Noodle!

• Operating Hours: 8 AM - 1 PM
• Operating Days: Thursday to Sunday
• Address: Kim Keat Palm Food Centre, #01-20, 22 Toa Payoh Lorong 7, S 311022
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• Facebook Page

Chao Zhou Fishball Noodle started from pushcart back in 1968, founded by Mr. Lim Lee Seng. And you could not get them every day, one of the few stalls in Singapore that closed 3 days a week.

The queue at Chao Zhou Fishball Noodle was long and never ends, it was not because of the slow service, they prepared my order in under 2 minutes.

One of the owner was preparing the fishball.

A closer look of the fishballs, it was unusually big that you won't see it anywhere else. You can add fishball for 40 cents each if you think 5 fishballs is not enough for you.

Ordered Fishball Mee Pok Dry which comes with 5 huge golf size fish ball. Only for $3!

The dry version comes with a mixture of chilli and ketchup sauce, it was a really good balance of spiciness and sweetness. Noodles were tender and springy. I would love to have another bowl of it!

Another highlight is the handmade huge and bouncy fishball, before you try to eat it, use a spoon to scoop one of the fishball and shake the spoon, you could see how bouncy it really is! And their fishball does not have fishy smell unlike most of the fishball we had, I have really nothing to complain about. 

For $3 you get not only 5 fishballs, but with noodle! I will sure return again for it again!

Hom Aroy Thai Food - Authentic Thai Cuisine in Hawker Centre

• Operating Hours: 11.30 AM - 3 PM & 4 PM - 8.30 PM
• Operating Days: Daily
• Address: 22 Toa Payoh Lorong 7, #01-10, S 314022
• Facebook Page

Having thoughts of having authentic Thai cuisine but do not like to go for expensive priced restaurant? Now you can have it under $10 for an authentic Thai meal in a Hawker centre at Kim Keat Palm food centre.

This place really has lots of hidden gems, you could look at my previous post on $2 Cai Png, Fried Oyster Omelette, Beef Noodle, and Chee Cheong Fun. Today we came here again to have Thai cuisine. Most importantly, it was not those stalls that just sell fried Bak Chor with rice or Spicy and sour soup and call them Thailand cuisine.

They have an impressive number of dishes displayed including Tom Yum Gong, Green Curry Rice, Fried Basil leaves with meat.

Ordered Basil leaves with fried pork ($4), this is one of most popular, and the most beloved Thai street food dish of all time.

Steamed white rice coupled with pork infused with Thai basil leaves, long beans, carrots and lots of red chilli with a combination of dark soy sauce and fish sauce. It is delicious with a good balance of fiery hot and savoury.

It tasted like some of the food stalls on the street I've had in Thailand, but something lacking is the taste of basil leaves, they could make it taste better with more of it. 

The pork was lean and very few fats can be seen which I love so it won't contribute to the already oiliness to the dish. Some advice for non-spicy food takers, it could be spicy to you.

Will I return? Of course! with such a nice meal and there is still lots of dish I have not tried, be back for their tom yum soup or any other authentic dishes.

Lai Heng Economical Mixed Vegetable Rice 来兴经济什菜饭 - A Cai png that's cheap and decent meal at just $2!

• Operating Hours: 5 AM - 8 PM
• Operating Days: Daily
• Address: Kim Keat Palm Market and Food Centre, 22 Toa Payoh Lorong 7, #01-07, S 310022

The terms Cai png - 菜饭 is a mixture of vegetable and meat, served with either rice or porridge which can be found in any hawker centres.

Economical Rice as the name stated obviously supposed to be cheap and being able to eat a variety of meats and vegetables with rice or porridge at $4 or less. But what if there is a stall offered $2 Economical rice which comes with meats and vegetables? Would you be even more surprised if I say it was delicious too?

Located in Kim Keat Palm Market, Lai Heng Economical Mixed Vegetable Rice, been serving all economical rice fans for at least 20 years is a must-try, look at the queue!

Although the queue for this stall is always that long, it is moving very fast as there are 1 cashier and 2 staffs helping to put dishes onto the plate.

With a price of $2, you get to choose a vegetable and a meat, additional 20 cents and you could choose another vegetable!

Besides having a price that is as less as $2, the variety here is huge! You will be spoilt for choice. I was still deciding what to have and it was my turn next!

Their dishes are the same every day, but this is the reason why their food was with quality.

Cooked cabbage and sweet & sour pork are normally the dishes to determine how good this cai png stall is, and they did not disappoint me in terms of quantity and quality. Just take note that for the mushroom I have chosen, they consider it as a type of meat. So I was charged $2.50 for this plate.

This plate cost just $2.20 with 2 vegetable (yes their egg consider vegetable) and a meat.

Overall the meal was really cheap and decent. and I would return anytime for it.

Ah Chuan Fried Oyster Omelette 阿泉蠔煎 - One of the Best Orh Luak I've eaten!

• Operating Hours: 1.30 PM to 4 PM
• Operating Days: Closed on Tuesdays
• Address: Kim Keat Palm Market and Food Centre, 22 Toa Payoh Lorong 7, #01-25, S 310022

蚝煎 pronounced as Hao Jian in Chinese, Orh Luak in Hokkien, is a fried gluey based flour mixed with Oysters.

The owner's been selling Fried Oysters in this hawker centre for more than 40 years. I wouldn’t know about this stall until someone tells me about it as they hardly operating for as less as 3 hours a day, starting only after noon lunch period and ending as early as 4 pm. So I'm only able to visit them on my off day.

Why such a short operating hours you ask? They are in retiring phase, just passing time doing what they have been doing - frying oyster omelette. During their operational hours, they were frying non-stop yet the quality was not compromised.

Starch is mixed into the egg, giving it a thick texture. When you bite a big portion of the omelette, the blend of egg spring onions and juicy oyster that burst in your mouth is really good. 

The egg is fried till it's crispy yet fragrant and not too oily to the throat. 

If you prefer it with chilli, the chilli sauce here is well balanced and has the right amount of sourness to cut through the oil. Their chilli is sour enough to cut through the oil without covering the taste of the omelette, and a mild spicy kick that haunts you.

Every oyster is fat and juicy. The oysters are big, juicy and fresh and the texture of the dish is just perfect.

This is the best Fried Oyster Omelette I had. If you have craving for oyster omelette during lunch, this is the one stall that guarantees that calories were not wasted.

Hai Nan Xing Zhou Beef Noodle (海南星洲牛肉粉) - Dark Thick Beefy Tasty Gravy all over!

• Operating Hours: 8.30 AM to 3.30 PM
• Operating Days: Tuesday to Sunday
• Address: Toa Payoh Food Centre, 22 Toa Payoh Lorong 7 #01-06, S 310022
• Total Cost: $4

Seems like this stall had lots of media interviewed them before, this name has been around for more than 60 years operated by two elderly Hainanese uncles. He was previously from Cuppage Centre before decided to reside in Toa Payoh about a decade ago.

I always chose the dry version as it will be mixed with dark thick beefy tasty gravy with white thick bee hoon noodles and bits of salted vegetables. 

The generous portion of beef slices was fresh, tender and not tough which they cut and cooked themselves. Most importantly, it was not marinated so you could taste the beef in its original form. The sauce itself was good, but maybe my expectations were too high, it did not give me shockingly delicious factor. The beef soup was a lot better than I expected compared to the noodle, it was sweet and not so beefy as all, just nice for me. 

Overall, I enjoyed my bowl of beef noodles and I am willing to revisit. But queue? No thanks. I dun think it was that good to queue. The craze had died down as I do not see any queue anymore for this, so for those who are longing for it, here is your chance.

House of Delicacies - Surprisingly good Chee Cheong Fun Hidden in Toa Payoh!

• Operating Hours: 7.00 AM to 3.00 PM
• Address: Kim Keat Palm Market & Food Centre, 22 Lorong 7 Toa Payoh, #01-05

House of Delicacies serves a variety of local Chinese cuisines. They offer Chee Cheong Fun, Fried Bee Hoon, Yam cake and much more. 

Whether it is weekdays or weekends, you can see long queues for this stall which sell local delights that are cheap and nice. And once you see all patron who bought from this stall carrying plates and plates of Chee Cheong Fun, you know that you must try it out to solve your curiosity. 

Settled down for this Chee Cheong Fun for breakfast, the texture is smooth unlike most of the Chee Cheong Fun that will stick to you when you bite it, and the black sweet sauce with sesame seeds did enhance the whole experience of having this Chee Cheong Fun! So if you saw my previous post on Kuala Lumpur Chee Cheong Fun, this is very similar to it but I would say the sauce and texture still a bit lesser than the KL's version. 

Kim Keat Palm Market does have lots of food around, so do come and enjoy their delicious dishes at a very affordable price!

Will I return? Of course! It's a replacement for my usual KL Chee Cheong Fun bite!