The mochi waffle came crisp at the edges but overly chewy inside, almost too much mochi. I sampled a few gelato flavours and none left much impression. Sticky date pudding sounded promising, yet on the waffle it turned cloying. Already sweet on its own and further weighed down by maple syrup drizzle. Texture was interesting at first but the flavour balance tipped into heavy and overly sweet 》$6.90 Mochi Waffle + $5.20 Premium Flavour

One of my favourite chicken wing rice, always comforting and satisfying. The wings are fried crisp and golden, skin light and crunchy while the meat inside stays juicy and tender with savoury depth from the marinade. Paired with fragrant chicken rice, it makes for a hearty meal that I keep coming back to. The chilli dip adds a sharp kick that ties everything together and it has become one of my late night choices for a sinful supper, affordable and consistently good 》$4

The sambal stingray arrives on a sizzling hot plate with a smoky and spicy aroma. The flesh is tender and juicy, thick enough to feel substantial yet soft enough to pull apart with ease. Sambal brings bold fragrance and a fiery kick, a little salty but especially satisfying when paired with rice 》$15 / Medium

Freshly made as I arrived, the strawberry matcha latte came layered with homemade strawberry puree at the base and creamy matcha poured over. The matcha tasted smooth and balanced, while the strawberry brought gentle sweetness and tang. Real strawberry bits added texture and a natural bite, making the drink feel fresh throughout. More on the subtle side than bold, it comes together as a refreshing mix of fruit and matcha 》$6.90

🔗 https://take.app/matchamura
📍579 Hougang Ave 4, S530579

Revisited Hup Kee after years and the queue is still as long as before. Managed to get my bowls but by just past 11am only fishballs were left. Their mee kia was thinner and curly, springy without the strong alkaline taste, tossed in dark sauce with shallot oil, fried shallot and plenty of lard for that shiok and sinful flavour. The handmade fishballs were firm yet bouncy, clean in texture and paired best with the belacan chilli which gave a spicy lift. The flavours remain familiar and satisfying, something I would go for if I am already around the hood though I would reconsider making a special trip just for the queue 》$5 (Regular) / $6.50 (Large)

The sea salt blue pea was not bad with a gentle savoury touch. The chrysanthemum honeyscukle although pleasant, didn’t feel like their best. What struck me more was how heavily coloured the gelato seemed, leaning toward artificial tones. On the other hand, the ube mochi and pistachio rose both came with mochi folded in, adding a chewy texture that made the scoops more interesting.

Double Scoop 》$7.70 + $2 Premium Flavours

Went down to Bedok to satisfy my Thai food cravings. Prices are very affordable and these are my usual picks that never go wrong. The vermicelli seafood salad came tangy and refreshing, chicken creamy tom yum soup rich and comforting with fragrant basil minced pork that pairs perfectly with rice. Not forgetting Thai milk tea, smooth and sweet, rounding off a spread that’s simple and satisfying.

Thai Vermicelli Salad with Seafood 》$8
Tom Yum Soup 》$6
Basil Pork 》$6

The matcha came smooth but leaned light, not as bold as expected. Pistachio milk added creaminess, though the nutty flavour itself was faint and didn’t really stand out. Sweetness was gentle, keeping the drink easy to enjoy but overall the flavours felt average. Portion was fixed at small size with normal ice 》RM15.90

The toast came golden and crisp with gooey cheese pulling through the middle. The chicken luncheon added a savoury bite. Flavours were average, decent enough to enjoy though not a standout compared to their heavier sets like mee siam or rendang 》RM6.90

The ayam goreng mee siam set comes with fried chicken leg paired with dry vermicelli and a fried egg. The fried chicken leg was the highlight, crisp with spiced crumbs that gave a savoury crunch in every bite. The sambal on the side brought sharp heat, cutting through the richness and tying the plate together. Portion was generous and filling, making it a hearty plate 》RM14.50

Picked a spread of skewers from the huge variety available, grilled with spice for a smoky touch. Flavours leaned average, not the best but the strengths are clear with the sheer range of choices, extensive sauce station and the cheap price at just RM1.10 per stick. It was pretty crowded on my visit yet service stayed quick 》RM14.30 / 13 Sticks

The sweet potato yam wheel cake came warm in its thin golden shell crisp at the edges and soft inside. The filling was generous with earthy sweet potato and creamy yam layered together. Natural in sweetness and smooth in texture, each bite carried a gentle contrast of crispy skin and soft filling 》RM7.90