thailand Archives - With Love,

Author: Alexius Chua

I had my first Baan Ying experience at Central World Bangkok five years ago, and it’s a good one. So I was reeked with anticipation for its latest thai set menu, the ‘One Meal Around Thailand’, which had the support of the Tourism Authority of Singapore, a mark of endorsement for its featuring of elevated Thai cuisines around the country region.

The promotion will last till end September, with three set menus. The Superior ($58.80) is meant for two, the Deluxe is for four ($128.80), and if you have a party of eight, its Grand Tour menu is at $298.80. The set menu also comes with four types of nam prik (or Thai chilli dip), som tum (green papaya salad), and desserts and herbal tea.

Starting off with the Nam Prik from the 4 regions (North Eastern Thai, Central Thai, Southern Thai, and Northern Thai). The Soup Makuer (Spicy Thai Eggplant Dip) deserves two thumbs up. The eggplant is boiled till tender, and blended with Thai anchovy paste and chilli powder to result in a mildly spicy savoury dip to accompany the fresh seasonal vegetables.

There are lots of ingredients in the Som Tom Tad (Green Papaya Salad Platter), with special mention on the pork belly and salted vegetable – they are especially good. There is a lingering tart, sweet and spicy sauce over it. In the end, you may not even get to the papaya with such an appetising pile of ingredients.

After the appetiser comes the palate cleanser – Frozen Butterfly Pea Tea and Coconut Shot. Its so refreshing and cooling I would buy it for a second or third time as a refreshing drink. Too bad its just a shot and I am supposed to down it in one gulp.

Coming to the mains. The dishes from all over Thailand starts to appear, and I loved the two from the South. The Sator Pad Goong (Stir-fried Bitter Bean with Shrimp) is basically petai with shrimps. Milder but just as bitter as the beans in Singapore. This version is fried in shrimp paste and chilli (so basically a sambal) and the spices do not overwhelm.
The must-try for me is from the Grand Tour menu, the Gai Tom Kamin (Chicken in Turmeric Broth). It is slightly tart and savoury, with a tasty hint of herbs.
Overall, I believe it’s timely for an experienced restauranteur to feature such an elevated Thai dining experience to educate diners that Thai cuisine is more than just spicy Tom Yum Gong or Pad Thai.

Baan Ying
103 Irrawaddy Road, Royal Square @ Novena, $02-07 S329566
Facebook: facebook.com/baanyingsg
Instagram: @baanyingsg
Website: www.baanying.sg
Hashtag: #baanyingsg #OMAT

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

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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

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……..

thailand

One Meal Around Thailand at Baan Ying

Feast on Thai Food at The Great Baan Ying Brunch

FOOD: Sawadee Thai – Authentic Thai Food in Singapore

The Eyes Diary