Author: Alex Chua
Now I don’t have to travel all the way to Bangkok just to indulge Baan Ying.
Launched on 26 Jan 2019, the Thai specialty restaurant opens its first ever Singapore outlet in Royal Square, conveniently located near Novena mrt. In conjunction with its opening is the introduction of The Great Baan Ying Brunch (#TGBYB) – a weekend semi-buffet consisting of 1 main course along with a buffet spread of 12 to 15 delectable appetisers, sides and desserts on rotation every week.
Affordably priced at $38.80++ per adult and $19.40++ per child (four to ten years old; kids under three dine free; child price includes complimentary fruit juice), this is enough to draw me in, being a big fan of Baan Ying’s ala carte omelette rice and fried fish dishes. As for semi-buffet, this is something new for me.
The main brunch attractions, the 6 mains are the Bone-in Iberico Pork Chop, Angus Beef Steak, Grilled Large River Prawns, Pan-fried Salmon Steak, Junior Omelette Fried Rice and Junior Omelette Fried Noodles. Me and my friend tried the Iberico Pork Chop and Grilled Salmon, both were well-proportioned and plating wise rather straight forward. The moist and tender salmon is served with homemade Thai seafood sauce to give it an umami edge, while the juicy pork chop is perfectly marinated with Aunty Ying’s secret blend of Thai spices. Do note that you have to top up an additional $9.80 for the pork chop, but its definately worth it.
The Great Baan Ying Brunch features a plethora spread of Thai-riffic appetisers, sides and desserts. To keep up with the healthy, I started my meal at the DIY Thai Salad station, mixing and matching ingredients like peanuts, dried shrimp, cherry tomatoes, long beans and either tangy green papaya or green mango. The end result is a refreshing and colourful salad. Nothing beats some physical DIY activity, especially when it comes to buffet.
A traditional house-made rice cracker with a rich and luscious coconut, pork and shrimp dip, the Kao Tung Na Tung (Crispy Rice with Pork and Shrimp Dip) is easily one of my favourites. The crunchiness of the crackers and the savoury, meaty dip goes very well with beer.
Not to forget the Mini Larb Moo Tod (Deep Fried Spicy Meat Balls mixed with toasted ground rice). Can’t go any closer as these succulent balls are just too easy to down.
For desserts there are Rainbow Ruby, Sweet Potato in Coconut Milk and Coconut Jelly. Shaped like a delicate flower petal, the Coconut Jelly are just so refreshing and delightful to pop into the mouth.
My verdict? The Great Baan Ying Brunch is value-for-money with lots of quality, tasty buffet spread and a mains to boot.
Baan Ying
103 Irrawaddy Road, Royal Square @ Novena, $02-07 S329566
thai
FOOD: Sawadee Thai – Authentic Thai Food in Singapore
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Even though Thailand is just a few hours away, there isn’t really a need to fly over to enjoy authentic Thai food. Why fly when you can have it in Singapore?
We found a gem located at 9 Tan Quee Lan Street, TQL Suites, #01-01 Singapore 188098 (Opposite Bugis Junction) last week.
Sawadee Thai is also recognized as the Top 5 Thai Restaurants in Singapore since 2013 and in conjunction with their 15th anniversary, a series of new dishes were introduced – You can find Hokkaido Scallops on Clayplat ($30 for 7 pieces) and many other dishes which I will be talking about later.
But firstly, let me sing praises for their Tom Yum and Red Curry with Crab Meat. I am a HUGE fan of both but I am leaning towards the curry more. For a bowl of curry that is filled with chunky crab meat, $20 is simply too affordable. Ideal for sharing for up to 3 pax.
Pan-seared Black Angus Beef Ribeye ($32 for 220g) is served together with their homemade green curry sauce. The green curry sauce is a plus point!
Grilled Kurobuta Pork Collar ($22) is an indulgent treat that pampers your taste buds with its impeccably-paired homemade spicy sauce. You can feel the juicy tenderness of the meat with every bite.
We also tried other dishes like Thai Stuffed Chicken Wings which were fried to golden brown. ($12 for 3 pcs and $18 for 5 pieces). Don’t judge the wings by its look, the wings are actually deboned and stuffed with other ingredients like mushroom, chicken meat and Thai spices!
Thai-style Otah on Clayplate. It comes in bite sizes and looks aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Quite Instagram-worthy I must say! ($15 for 7 pieces).
If you have a sweet tooth, you gotta try their Mango Sticky Rice ($7) and Mao Shan Wang Durian Sticky Rice ($12). Mao Shan Wang is obviously catered to all the durian lovers in Singapore!
The entire ambience was cosy and nice. While we were there, there was also an ongoing family gathering. Since the restaurant has a nice setting and sits up to 60 pax, it is good for events, gatherings and whatsnot 🙂
If you are craving for Thai food but you are unable to step out of your office, you can also order Sawadee Thai via Deliveroo or uberEATS!
Details:
Address: 9 Tan Quee Lan Street #01-01, Singapore 188098
Opening hours: 11am to 2.30pm and 6pm to 1030pm.
Contact: 6238 6833
The Eyes Diary
Thai horror movies are at my top hatred list because they are very scary and never fail to make me scream. But I never fail to resist the urge to watch them because they can be quite gooooood! Although I do get nightmare sometimes….
The latest Thai horror movie is The Eyes Diary which is already showing in the cinema right now.
It all started from a love story between PLA and NOTT. PLA (the girlfriend) died in an accident 3 months ago and NOTT was devastated and tried all means to see PLA again so he sets out to find ways to help him open his eyes to the realm of the dead by collecting items from the dead people.
He joined a body-collecting unit and secretly collects the personal belongings of the dead. Creepy stuffs began happening around him and his friends, scaring them off. Only MODTA (a female friend) stood by him as she too, had once lost her loved ones…..
I shall not spoil the movie further..
What I love about the movie is that it has a lot of comedy despite being a horror movie. The fat guy in the movie was hilarious!!!!! There were some frightening scenes but at the same time, too funny and we just couldn’t help but burst out laughing in the theatre.
There were also some parts where I had to put on the earpiece and blast my music so that the sound effects wouldn’t scare me.
Overall, this movie is seriously worth-watching! It can cheer you up for sure.
But….. do take note of the twist at the ending……..
A date with Love at MooJaa
Dated the busy boyfriend out for a dinner date at MooJaa Mookata. And I must say that It has been a long time since our last and proper dinner together. We would usually just eat somewhere nearby or our very-usual-dining-place-Ajisen before movie instead of just meeting up for a dinner because both of us live at each end of the island.
I wanna thank MooJaa Mookata too, for this private food tasting session. I really appreciate private food tasting session because at times, all we want is to just eat with people whom we are close with and we can be ourselves instead of being awkward.
I have tried Mookata before and they gave me a different feel from this MooJaa Mookata. Reason being that was probably the ingredients used in the previous place was NOT FRESH. Some places can be quite dirty as well – Well, I am just speaking from my truthful experience.
Steamboat can be messy, smelly and hot. But MooJaa is clean and air-conditioned. I like the fact that it’s air conditioned. I am not the one who loves to perspire while enjoying my steamboat LOL.
They have this modern yet thai-ish feel.
NANANANANA. Their pig logo! So cute! If you’re wondering why is it a pig, it is because “Moo Ka Ta”, for the uninitiated, literally means “Pork Skillet” in Thai and refers to the special cooking apparatus created to enjoy both barbecue and hot pot at the same time.
While waiting for our table to be cleared, and Boyfriend (Mr. D) was feeling gloomy because he was very hungry. Mooooo.
Here’s a peek into their menu. As you can see, you can go for different sets of Mookata. For me, I feel that 1 set of mookata is sufficient for 3. Probably because I can’t eat much too.
The very thoughtful boss also served us their signature Thai Iced Tea while waiting too. I am a milk tea lover and I must have it EVERY single day. No joke.
The tea is nice. It has a special taste that I can’t explain. Mr. D had two cups of it!
Their special sauce which was imported from Thailand themselves! The sauce on the left is the sweet and sour seafood sauce and it GOES WELL WITH PRACTICALLY EVERYTHING. I wish I could bring one bottle of it home.
We have eaten cheese tofu, cheesy hotdogs, but what about cheese balls made of chicken meat?
And if you had noticed, they use white (Japanese) charcoals instead of the black charcoals.
It is not healthy to eat Mookata with black charcoals as the ashes and all could get into the food, resulting in your food in becoming more acidic, which could subsequently lead to health problems :/
Thumps up for the good choice of spending more to get these charcoals just to keep us safe!
The soup base for the hot pot section is brewed for five hours to create a chicken and pork bone broth that’s tasty and light in the beginning, and turns incredibly flavourful and complex by the middle of your Moo Ka Ta session from all those meaty juices, kissed with a smoky hint from the charcoal fire.
Not that I want to praise this eating place, but Mr. D really love the broth.
Here comes the most important part: ALL THEIR INGREDIENTS ARE SUPER SUPER FRESH!!
At MooJaa, you never have to worry about oxidized, clumpy meat that has been exposed to room temperature or under-marinated because it’s prepared in mass batches. MooJaa’s head chef personally handpicks the seafood and meat every morning and then marinates it herself in a secret marinade that is MSG free. The resulting meats are tender, juicy, and bursting with great Thai flavours.
One of the staff will always be there to help you arrange and start the dining experience. You can subsequently add on from there.
After setting up and waiting for the food to be cooked.
MooJaa also offers more upmarket options for those with discerning palates – Kurobuta Pork and Angus Beef are available for you to Moo Ka Ta.
No luncheon meat or cheap hot dogs – instead, expect Hokkaido scallops and Surimi crab sticks.
Mr. D cleared this plate of Angus Beef :O
Their white rice tasted different too. It tasted like butter rice but it isn’t. I just can’t explain. But you could just finish the bowl of rice without the need of having other side dishes. (For me, actually) lol.
Our beautiful master piece :X
Check out the picture below for a little bonus!
After eating, Mr. D told me to rub his tummy because something was stated on the cover of the menu. Do check it out there yourself if you’re curious! Hehe.
Check them out on their Facebook: www.facebook.com/MooJaa.sg
Instagram : @MooJaa_Mookata #MooJaa
Now open till 6am!
Reservations number : 6536 4780
You really have to make a reservation as they are ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS full house. So a call can really help you save a whole lot of waiting time!!
They have only ONE outlet at Keong Saik Road which is of walking distance after alighting from Outram Park MRT Station.