Allures of Ang Mo Kio & Bishan

This 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗵𝗮𝘄𝗸 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗸 ($16.90) is a show stopper. Fork-tender and doused with a delectable black pepper sauce, it was supremely scrumptious. It also came with generous servings of mashed potatoes, waffle fries and coleslaw, sides with enough differentiation in textures and tastes so you never get bored eating this sumptuous dish. Recommended!

Don’t leave without ordering some of the insanely irresistible drinks on the menu. The refreshing 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗼 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲 and decadent 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗲𝘀 & 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗸𝗲 were both stellar.

We were equally enamoured with the fluffy 𝗢𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗵 𝗢𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗸𝗲, which tasted heavenly when paired with ice-cream.

For the desserts, we were enchanted by the rich 𝗠𝗼𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘃𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝗸𝗲.

I’ve always been a dessert waffle kind of person, but it was love a first sight when I saw the 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗻 & 𝗪𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗹𝗲. Four sizeable chunks of chicken, fabulously fried, sat atop a gigantic waffle. Douse the whole dish in maple syrup and it’s good to go. Simultaneously crispy, juicy, fluffy, sweet and savoury, it was absolutely divine!

The 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝘁 featured a medley of calamari rings, chicken mid wings and sweet potato fries paired with tartar sauce. Every item was excellent and if I were to choose a favourite, it would have to be the calamari for its textural contrast.

Manifesting a crispy skin and moist, flakey flesh, the 𝗕𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗼𝗻 was outstanding. The 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲-𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗻, however, was a tad too tough and dry. These two dishes came with creamy mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables, which were deftly executed.

Good Bites may not be the easiest place to get to, but customers streamed in non-stop while I was there for a weekday dinner. Being a halal cafe that’s open till 5 am, its appeal is apparent and its popularity unquestioned.

The signature 𝗧𝗼𝗺 𝗬𝘂𝗺 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗮 is not to be missed. The mussels, squid rings and single prawn were very fresh, while the al dente linguine and savoury-spicy sauce were a match made in heaven. Definitely a must order!

The springy noodles and savoury sauce were good too, but the wantons were the surprise stars. Though small, they were filled with minced pork and crunchy prawns. Most wanton mee stalls don’t put prawns in their wantons, so I was impressed. The char siew may not be perfect (though still quite good), but the wantons are worth a visit!

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐞𝐰
Blk 724 Ang Mo Kio Ave 6
Singapore 560724

There are quite a number of Charcoal Black Char Siew outlets across Singapore. I’m not sure if their standards are consistent, but the one at AMK Central is pretty decent. It specialises in charcoal-grilled char siew, so I had to get the 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿 𝗦𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗡𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗹𝗲 ($4.50) with extra char siew (+ $2).

The char siew was decently grilled, with a perfect lean meat to fat ratio. However it was too sweet for my liking.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐞𝐰
Blk 724 Ang Mo Kio Ave 6
Singapore 560724

Popped by King's Cart Coffee for their 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗮 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗶𝗲 ($13). There were lots of crunchy macadamia nuts embedded inside the rich brownie, which paired perfectly with the scoop of Double Espresso gelato. Some blueberries scattered around the plate and a Lotus biscoff biscuit completed this deliriously delectable dessert.

For the 𝗜𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 ($5), I chose the Seasonal Blend, which had a low to medium acidity and fruity tones. It provided a good contrast to the sweet brownie. Nice!

𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞
5 Bishan Place
Level 1 (inside the Library)
Singapore 579841

Ding Ji should be no stranger to connoisseurs of bak chor mee (minced pork noodles). While it has many outlets across the island, it's the original stall in Bishan that makes me swoon. Its menu features the standard Mushroom Minced Meat Noodle, but the 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗹𝗲 is the standout item.

Besides the usual bcm toppings like pork slices, pig's liver and minced pork, it also comes with one meatball, one fishball, one wanton and a raw egg dropped into the soup. These tasted sensational, but it was the soup that blew me away. Full of meaty flavour and possessing a subtle sweetness, it delighted my tastebuds and warmed my heart.

The soupy bcm at Bedok 85 may draw the crowds, but one sip of Ding Ji's brilliant broth and you won't be going back to Bedok any time soon (unless you stay there, of course).

𝐃𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐢 𝐓𝐞𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝐍𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐥𝐞
Blk 284 Bishan Street 22
Unit 01-211
Singapore 570284