Sedap Lahhhh!! Singapore's Halal Food Scene

Adam's Rojak

2006-07-20T00:59:00.000+08:00

Anyone can always make room for rojak, even after a hearty meal! And if you happen to be at Adam Road, I'd recommend Adam's Rojak, Stall No. 4. Well, it isn't hard to locate the stall since it's the only one serving the infamous local concoction!

I've always had my reservations when it comes to ordering rojak. The gravy must be just right or else it'll spoil the whole experience, oh well at least for me! But I was immediately enticed by the burst of colours and the fresh aroma of the warm mish-mesh of dough-balls, seafood and crunchy vegetables. And as for the gravy, it was immediately forgiven!

Coupled with hot teh tarik and the company of great companions, I'd say the rojak would make a great centrepiece as well as a stomach-filler. My verdict: 7.5/10

Adam's Rojak Stall
Stall No. 4
Adam Road Food Centre

You Scream, I Scream!

2006-07-16T01:36:00.000+08:00

I have a soft spot for desserts and if one were to ask me where’s my favourite ice cream, I’d sure to scream Island Creamery! Erm, okay, they don’t exactly have halal certification but I don’t see the harm in ice creams so long as they don’t contain the slightest bit of alcohol! And hence I am of the opinion that Island Creamery makes the list as a stayer in Singapore's halal food scene. Moving on…

I was introduced to this place about 2 years ago. Back then, it was a small ice cream parlour at the corner of Serene Centre in Bukit Timah. 2 years on and oh my, what a fine young lad it has become! The parlour can now accommodate at least 30 people at one time! Now back to what they’re famous for…

My absolute favourite flavours are teh tarik and horlicks! Yes, you read it right, and they have other’s like soursop, burnt caramel, coconut swirl and nutella just to name a few. That’s what makes Island Creamery so special, infusing the best of local flavours into an age-old favourite dessert! Call their ice cream divine, heavenly…I’d say they’re sinfully addictive!

The location, though, is a bit out of reach so it’s best if you drive. But what the heck, might as well work out a sweat and treat yourself at the end of it all! My verdict: 8/10

Island Creamery
Level 1, Serene Centre
Jalan Serene, Bukit Timah

Al-Azhar - More Than Academia

2006-07-12T16:23:00.000+08:00

Living in the west, I sometimes come to a mental block when looking for good places to eat. Thank God for Al-Azhar. If you don't already know, Al-Azhar, a household name in Singapore's halal food landscape, is located on Cheong Chin Nam Road, opposite Beauty World Bukit Timah. It has long been a favourite haunt for bikers and students alike. Naturally, it attracts nocturnals like me who prefer to chat the night away in the company of great friends.

Prata is the staple at Al-Azhar but don't expect only the usuals. You get a whole range of variety from the basics (kosong, egg, egg with onion etc) to desserts (ice cream prata, tropical fruit, banana etc). My particular favourite is the Banana Prata and Cheese Prata. They only cost between $1.50-$2.00 each but what you get is more than just a fill for the stomach! The Banana Prata is almost always served hot and oozes with honey and natural banana juice. And the melted cheese is a guarantee that their Cheese Pratas are made fresh! Yummy!

If you feel a bit more adventurous, try the Prata Pizza. Its the normal Italian suspect, only with an Indian flair and thin prata base. Or you might just as well settle for their murtabaks that are equally commendable.

And what better way to end the meal than ordering yourself a cup of teh tarik. Frothy and not too sweet, just the way I like it. Make that 2 please! My verdict: 7.5/10

Al-Azhar
Cheong Chin Nam Road,
Opposite Beauty World Bukit Timah

My Cup Of Razeen's Teh Halia

2006-07-11T01:15:00.000+08:00

I extremely enjoy chatting at coffeeshops with friends over a cup of teh halia (ginger tea). Not just any coffeeshop, they're those at Kampong Glam, particularly Razeen & Brothers Cafe at Bussorah Street.

Well, the setting is pretty modest, just some tables and chairs along the 5-foot-way overlooking the street. But, the whole area is over-flowing with history and the cultural riches of Arabs - just the way I like it.

It's only until fairly recently that I have developed a penchant for teh halia. I've tried countless of other shops before but trust me, Razeen has got one of the best, if not the best, teh halia you'll find on this island! The blend of creamy teh tarik and ginger is heavenly! I particularly enjoy the minty aftertaste that lingers for just the right amount of time.

The shop preserves the authenticity of post-war coffeehouse, selling no more than tea, coffee and afternoon snacks and kuehs. If you're looking for that perfect cup of teh halia with a generous dose of history and culture, you've come to the right place! My verdict: 8/10

Razeen & Brothers Cafe
Bussorah Street, Kampong Glam

The One With Soda Gembira

2006-07-10T16:40:00.000+08:00

The name Ayam Penyet has always amuse me for it means 'squashed chicken' in Bahasa Indonesia! However, it's sort of my favourite haunt and now, with a new outlet at Middle Road (opposite Shaw Towers), I don't have to travel to Lucky Plaza all the time! And better still, the new outlet is much much more spacious and modern-looking!

And of course, as the name suggests, the signature dish is called Ayam Penyet. It's fried chicken (or any meat of your choice) served with crumbs, blanched kangkong, ulam (raw salads), tahu (beancurd), tempe (fermented soy cake), sambal belacan (shrimp paste chilli) and rice. Nice! But, like most Javanese dishes, the meal could be quite 'dry' due to the lack of gravy.

Having tried the Ayam Penyet countless times, I opted for the Soto Ayam this time around. Bad idea! Well, it's nothing like what I expected... the soup tasted more like re-used chicken stock and was very salty! No hint of sambal or kicap cili, no begedil (potato cake)...even the shredded chicken meat was dismal! The whole presentation looked too oily!

It's sad to say that their efforts at diversifying their menu needs some serious consideration. However, at the moment, I'd suggest they stick to their tried-and-tested success. At least that have kept me coming back! My verdict: 7.5/10

Psst! Try their Soda Gembira (Happy Soda)! It's a cross between Bandung and F&N Cherryade! Cheers!

Ayam Penyet Ria
NTUC Income Beach Junction (Opposite Shaw Towers)
Middle Road

What's In My Roti?

2006-07-07T23:25:00.000+08:00

Little India has no short of local delights and Tekka Market is the place to be for that glimpse of Singaporean gastronomy. It was lunchtime and my colleagues and I decided to head down to Tekka Market. Like any other food centres, the place was packed not only by consumers but also a myriad of foodstalls. I was spoilt for choice but in the end settled for the modest Roti John.

I tried the one at this particular stall called Berkat Stall (Stall 291). The Roti John costs $2.50 for plain egg, and an extra $1.00 for minced meat topping. I opted for plain egg as I was not particularly hungry. The order didn't take too long and 10 minutes later, the food was delivered to my table.

At first sight, I was dismayed as the Roti John was served on styrofoam plate with plastic cutlery. The underside looked a bit burnt while the top was pale and seemed void of any topping at all! On the whole, it looked like it was soiled in oil.

I took the first bite not long after contemplating about the food. The bread was fluffy but true enough, the top tasted like it was given a generous dab of oil instead of egg. The slightly burnt underside lent some crispiness to the overall soggy presentation. The chilli sauce did little to complement the Roti John.

Although the meal, or snack as some might say, was not at all satisfying, the taste was not all too bad. Perhaps, if I had opted for the $3.50 one, my tastebuds would have gotten a slightly better deal. My verdict: 6/10

Berkat Stall
No. 291, Tekka Market and Food Centre
Little India

Going Banana...Leaves!

2006-07-04T15:19:00.000+08:00

After years of hearing about the infamous Fish Head Curry at Banana Leaf Apolo, my colleagues and I finally went there for lunch to find out exactly what the hype is all about!

The restaurant is located along Race Course Road, the same stretch that houses Muthu's Curry and Gaiyathri. The aroma was unmistakable and the rupture of colours blinding. All the dishes across the Indian subcontinent laid bare right before your eyes, set to woo you into an undeniable gastronomic pleasure!

I must say that the signature dish was very generous, both in flavour and serving proportions! The curry was rich and had the perfect consistency and goes well with the briyani and pappadam. The same could be said about their prawn masala, tandoori chicken and fluffy fish cake! The combination made for a brilliantly satisfying lunch where the lively atmosphere lends a jovial and uplifting mood.

All in all, Apolo is a treasure worth discovering but be warned that the price may burn a hole in your pocket. My verdict: 8/10.

Banana Leaf Apolo
Race Course Road, Little India

Care For Briyani?

2006-06-29T23:41:00.000+08:00

I'm all set and raring to go, my engines are geared up and my stomach's prepared for an overkill... this is it, there is no turning back!

My colleague had been pestering me since time immemorial to have lunch at A.B Mohamed. Yesterday, I finally relented to his endless pestering and went there for lunch. It's the one at the junction of Serangoon and Syed Alwi Roads, opposite Angullia Mosque and very near Mustafa.

I ordered Fish Briyani at $5.00 and Teh Tarik at $1.00. Hmm, ok, rather steep but I suppose that's the price to pay for a clean and air-conditioned setting. At least, I thought, the taste of the food would be a great compensation.

My first bite was unimpressive, surely I've tasted better before. The pacri (pickled onions, cucumber and chilli concoction) was stale and the pappadam limp. The saving grace was the generous portion of tandoori fish that was embedded within the wall of briyani. However, we made a mistake by ordering a piece of fried tiger prawn for $6.50. Yes, the shell was super crispy but it wasn't exactly very fresh so the price was injustifiable!

And so, the lunch added up to $19.00 (shared between 2). Yes, the place is very clean and you are protected from the searing heat of the street outside but more could and should be done to improve on the food if it were ever to justify the price. I suggest sticking to the ordinary street-side eateries unless you are really allergic to sweat! My final verdict: 5.5/10.

A.B. Mohamed Restaurant
Located at the junction of Syed Alwi Road
& Serangoon Road
Opposite Mustafa Centre

Where Art Thou, O Halal Food?

2006-06-27T14:14:00.000+08:00

It's a question that constantly resonates in my mind... I mean, I can only think of few instances where I'm not left wandering aloud as I trudge my way home on a Friday night - where would our next halal dinner date/gathering be? What shall I try tomorrow - halal Italian or halal local? Oh dear, is Singapore really that pathetic? Where are all the good halal places?

Such is the dilemma of Singaporean Muslims. Hey, I too would like to go out and have some fun and have good food but I'd probably be ready putting on my shoes and about to discover the fascinating culinary world before me when the where-shall-I-go-for-that-outstanding-halal-food becomes all too familiar...

Fret not my Muslim, and non-Muslim, comrades!

Well, it seems like a new year resolution 6 months overdue but I've vowed to dispel those conundrums and present the halal gastronomic fare that is ever present on this little isle! Don't get me wrong, I see it not as a bane but more of a service to the clueless and uninitiated out there...much like myself!

So, are you ready to join me in this odyssey?