in the heartland 😮

Have not had ClayPot Chicken Rice in ages and heard that the one that used to be at Clementi has now shifted to Holland Drive. Decided to go for it last evening. Taste wise, it was alright but I felt that it was not as good as what I remembered when I last had it at Clementi. Overall, craving was satisfied but it was not the best ClayPot Rice that I have had. No drink stalls were opened yesterday at the market so had to walk over to NTUC to get some water. Remember to BYO water/drinks if you are gonna drop by. 3/5

Finally back here to try their Unagi Don; pretty surprised by how the "don" gets presented on a plate. For $9, you get quite a generous slab of Unagi glazed in sweet Teriyaki, with Teriyaki sauce drizzled on the pearl rice. Pretty filling and quite value for money, but I would really prefer their Braised Meat Rice for the execution overall.

If you think that the noodles served at this stall in Kopitown Sixth Avenue very much resemble the springy wanton noodles at Crystal Jade, you're on the right track. Owner Mr Tang was formerly the head trainer at the restaurant chain, and more recently ran a stall in Chinatown. Mr Tang's noodles here are springy, the dumplings are plump and juicy, and the accompanying chilli paste packs a whole lot of punch. The icing on the cake? Prices are a fraction of what you would pay at an upmarket Cantonese noodle house — the Wanton Noodles cost only $3.50. Pro tip: According to Burpple Tastemaker Xing Wei Chua, patrons tend to order several portions at a go, so be patient.
Avg Price: $5 per person

If you're hungry and in the Duxton area, head straight for this messy, brimming plate of Big Prawn Hor Fun ($16, good for 3-4). The rich gravy is full of umami, super prawn-y, and just a tiny bit spicy. The prawns are, well, big and so very succulent — well worth the price and the wait and you'll want to bring anyone you know here.

Too many things in one frame to name. But my picks at this super duper value-for-money canteen are the $2 pumpkin cake and the Assam curry Maggi noodles.

Now...if only there was air-conditioning here 🤔 .

This cool, cosy, quiet bistro serves up incredibly affordable Western fare in a lovely setting, with main courses priced between just $8 and $12. As their name suggests, the German Pork Knuckle ($10) is their signature and a definite must-try. It is served already de-boned, with sides of sauerkraut and mash. It's tough to find pork knuckles this affordable, of good quality, no less. Other recommended mains include the Rib-eye Steak ($12) and the Grilled Chicken Chop ($8). Don't have the stomach for a full meal? Hop in for some cold ciders and a basket of Truffle Fries ($6) to share. All prices are NETT!

Closed since November last year due to renovation works at Amoy Street Food Centre, A Noodle Story has opened its shutters once again, churning out what has become a hawker favourite in the CBD — Singapore-style ramen. It features springy wanton noodles coated in a garlic-ginger-onion infused oil, wantons, irresistibly oozy onsen egg, slices of tender melt-in-your-mouth chashu, and shrimp wrapped in crispy potato. Phew. At half the price of normal ramen ($5 for small, $6 for medium), it certainly doesn't compromise on flavour or satisfaction!

With branches in Dover and Pandan Garden, Ministry of Ribs brings good ol' American grub that is set to satisfy at extremely affordable prices. True to their name, their Hickory Smoked Ribs ($13.90 for half, $20.90 for full portion) are a stand-out, having been thoughtfully selected, slow-cooked, smoked and then seared for incredible flavour with their blend of spices and sauces. Their special Ministry Burger ($13.90) is a hearty option, complete with bacon and fried onion onion rings atop a juicy beef patty cooked to perfection. Ribs, burgers and prime ribeye steaks prepared fresh daily — this is just the spot to enjoy a hearty meal with friends or family.

Alexandra zi char favourite Keng Eng Kee Seafood has opened a new outlet in Pandan Gardens (not to be confused with Pandan Valley), a 20-minute bus ride from Jurong East MRT Station and just a stone's throw away from Pandan Reservoir. You must not miss favourites like the Moonlight Hor Fun (from $6) and Coffee Pork Ribs (from $15), and the younger members of the family might even want to try some zi char inspired cafe grub — think Salted Egg Yolk Crab Spaghetti ($15) with deep-fried soft shell crab and creamy salted egg yolk sauce. Another new item meat lovers of the family will enjoy is the KEK Beef Wrap ($20) — pan-fried ribeye steak wrapped in fresh lettuce, topped with garlic, anchovies, pickles and sambal chilli.
Avg price: $14 per person

Previously located in Macpherson, Royal J's Seafood now brings its signature Fried Porridge (from $6 for small, enough for two modest appetites) to its new digs in the Jalan Besar neighbourhood. Plain porridge is fried with an abundance of ingredients including tau kwa, fried dried shrimp, cuttlefish and shredded meat, resulting in a wok hei laden pot of pure umami comfort. The texture of the porridge is thicker and starchier than most, so pace yourself! Be discerning about what you order from the zi char menu. While it looked promising, the Royal J's Cheesy Prawns (from $28) underwhelmed with its cloying sweetness. Go for the Tasty Fried Pork (from $12) and You Mai Cai (from $8) instead.

KEK is one of those rare zi char places with friendly and prompt service, and it's perfect for big groups of friends or for a family gathering. Expect simple, homely dishes that are big on flavour, such as the Moonlight Hor Fun ($5/8/12/16) — lush wok hei hor fun with Chinese sausage, prawns, beansprouts and lard, finished with a raw egg that completely transforms the dish when you mix it in. The Fried Salted Egg Crab is another crowd favourite, think fresh crab tossed in a "thick, buttery salted egg sauce with a hint of spiciness", as Tastemaker Marc T. describes. The Coffee Ribs ($8) are a hit as well, tender on the inside, and glazed with a sweet, sticky coffee sauce. There are both outdoor and indoor seating, make sure you call ahead for reservations!

The things we do for food. 😂 But my favourite was the Thai style tofu. The irony?😂