Flying back to Bangkok with Oriental In-Flight Meal

Finally, it's the time to fly back to Bangkok -- just on time before New Year Count Down ... Too bad, the passenger seat I was on (the whole row) had a problem in terms of headphone !!! Therefore, an 2.5 hours from Singapore to Bangkok, we did not have a chance to watch any movies or listen any song ... Flight Attendants tried to help reloading programme again and again (but it did not work) ... Huh ...

Anyway, this was the meal served as dinner -- Oriental Meal by Singapore Airlines --- One is Fish & One is Chicken ...



Desserts was ice-cream -- Nestle Trophy -- Everyone deserves a Trophy !!! No more Ben&Jerry's as it was to be when flying to Singapore or Fuchon as I got in flight from Bangkok to Tokyo ... Huh ... I can only think of a cost saving with this economic situation ...

That's it ... end of my journey to Singapore !!!

The Soup Spoon - wholesome soups from the heart

This is an adaptation of American way of eating lunch. This is based on my last trip to USA since I have noticed that there was not only sandwiches shop but also a soup shop for lunch in USA.

Here in Singapore, there is a shop called 'The Soup Spoon' -- which was established since 2001 by a masterful SouperChef and her 2 business partners in soup. It was to create a sensational product that will turn The Soup Spoon into the premier soup establishment in Singapore by providing innovative, fresh and nutritious soups that stand alone, filling enough to satisfy the hungriest patron.


Below was what I ordered ... Velvety Mushroom Stroganoff -- so mushroomy and so thick !!! It's served with a bun of bread (texture similar to Italian bread -- soft & white) ...



Price is varied according to soup type and size but it's around $5.60 - 6.90 for Regular size and $6.80 - 8.20 for Grande size. What I am about to say is that even Regular is so Huge already !!!

More about The Soup Spoon : http://www.thesoupspoon.com/

Japanese Food Bombarding (Part 2)

I have mentioned earlier about Japanese Food Bombarding at The Central Building. However, from what I noticed, there are still a lot of fast food chain from Japan around especially in Department Store. To be mentioned are only two as below :

Pepper Lunch : an affordable DIY fast food steakhouse with has more than 200 outlets in Japan. Pepper Lunch was founded in Japan since 1994 -- originated in Japan !!! It's now a fascinating outlet for Singaporean -- as I have seen from the queue. Total of 15 outlets (both Pepper Lunch Outlets & Pepper Lunch Express). Service Hour is from 11am to 10pm

Original Website : http://www.pepperlunch.com/
Singapore Website : http://www.pepperlunch.com.sg/


Next chain which I won't allow to mention is 'MOS Burger' which stands for Mountain, Ocean, and Sun. This Japanese chain come to Singapore since 1993 and opened its very first outlet at Isetan Scotts and till now reach 21 outlets throughout Singapore.


Luckily that it's now 15 years anniversary of MOS burger in Singapore -- so Happy Mosday !!! There was one popular item (which was back by demand) -- it's Oyako Rice Burger ... It is to make it like Oyakodon (literally translated as parent-and-child donburi), which is a donburi, or Japanese rice bowl dish, in which chicken, egg, green onion, and other ingredients are all simmered together in a sauce and then served on top of a large bowl of rice.


One thing I found it was strange was the sachet of chilli sauce and tomato ketchup -- red sachet should means for Tomato Ketchup while orange should mean for means for Chilli. In fact, at MOS burger, it's vise versa !!! So confusing ...

Original Website : http://www.mos.co.jp/english/
Singapore Website : http://www.mosburger.com.sg/

Watermelon Seeds in Chinatown

As I went to Singapore Chinatown, I had a chance to learn new thing about watermelon seeds. It's not only I went to Chinese Medicine Shop for Bah Kut Teh Ingredients only but I also observed something else.

I was learned that there are two types of watermelon seeds -- one is black (which I am familiar with) and the other one is red !!! It's the first time I have seen the red one ... Both were shown in barrel which were seated on the floor and selling in kilogram ... However, I did not buy it since the shop keeper gave me 1 handful of each ... He explained that the red one is more thicker than the normal black one -- just try then I would like it ...

I have found that since the red is a sign of good luck, threfore, the red watermelon seeds are in demand around the Chinese New Year. (please correct me if I am wrong on this -- it's so difficult to find what's the difference between these two ...)

Watermelon seeds are excellent source of protein (both essential and non-essential amino acid) and oil. Watermelon seeds contains 35% protein, 50% oil, and 5% dietary fiber as key nutrition. It's also rich in micro & macro nutrients such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorous, and zinc.

Here is a little information about watermelon seeds which I was found from 'The Chinese Habit of Eating Melon seeds by A.H. Crook' ...

There are two specimens of watermelon seeds -- The White Seeds which are slightly roasted and perhaps a little salted before they are sold (somewhat softer than the red seeds) and The Red Seeds which are also roasted and come from the north of the Kwangrung Province .

The opening of watermelon seeds especially the red one requires almost a special education to do it gracefully -- stripping of the hard shell to obtain the tiny kernel and then to be appreciated. Watermelon seeds is very important in China on account of its seeds -- a perfect passion, a trasure of cheap amusement, a daily consumption, and assemble with a drink tof ea or rice-wine ... Actually, the analysis thinking that since Chinese took no butter, the requirement of an oily substitue made them turn to the watermelon seeds - same as Russians take sunflower seeds.

Turkey Bacon

Have you ever heard of 'Turkey Bacon'? I mean a real Turkey Bacon ... not a slang word !!!

Remark : Bacon is a cut of meat taken from the sides, belly, or back of a pig that has been cured, smoked, or both. Bacon may be eaten fried, baked, or grilled for eaten.

This trip to Singapore reminded me that there could be also other meats to be made for bacon such as beef, lamb, chicken, goat, or turkey. I found this 'Turkey Bacon' during my journey at Breakfast Buffet Room (provided by the hotel) -- I call it a journey since it's a huge buffet room with huge variety of foods (different kinds of). Then, I realized that because Singapore is the place where Islam / Muslim population & traveller are in.

Turkey Bacon -- by the look, it looks like normal bacon but it's not as crispy as pork bacon !!! Not because of the way they fried, but when I looked closely, there's not a kind of fat layers outstanding as pork bacon ...

It's a good substitution for pork avoidance and/or religious restriction persons. More importantly, based on nuitrition facts, Turkey Bacon is a little lower in fat and calories than Pork Bacon. I confirm it's REALLY A LITTLE -- look from the above pictures yourself !!!

the coffee connoisseur (tcc) - gourmet coffees in Singapore

the coffee connoisseur (tcc) is the leading purveyor of gourmet coffees in Singapore. It was launched on December 18, 2003 (still young) ... However, to mention this because I look it as it's a Japan UCC Cafe !!! UCC stands for "Ueshima Coffee Company" - a manufacturer of coffee and tea products in Kobe, Hyōgo of Japan since 1933. There are lots of cafe available around the world including Thailand !!! The cafe itself consists of both coffee and food products including ambience.

As they claimed ; "tcc is about being artistic and professional. The tcc experience blends art and lifestyle to give our guests the space to indulge in their own time and to appreciate a fine cup of coffee, just as an art enthusiast may appreciate a great work of art."

I know only one thing that the space among tables is widely enough for personal space !!! The coffee menu is not simple -- it's a fancy type namely from its signature 'Café Royal' to coffee with liqueur ...

Picture belows are Chocolate Affogatto & Iced Green Apple Tea -- "Affogato style" which refers to the act of topping a drink or dessert with esspresso, therefore, it's a chocolate ice-cream topped with espresso !!!

More detail about tcc at : http://www.thecoffeeconnoisseur.com/

McD Milkshare 'cause no McMilkshake in Thailand !!!

I am not sure that you have noticed that there is no longer McDonald's Milkshake in Thailand ... Therefore, it's a kind of my habit to get at least one cup of Mc Milkshake per my abroad trip -- crazy huh ?!??!

Here it is ... Mc Donald's Chocolate Milkshake (@$2.25) -- so chocolaty, so cold, so milky -- fit for a hot walking day in Singapore!!! I would miss it for long, if I didnot have it ...

These pictures were taken from branch on Scotts Road (near my hotel) ... This is such a big branch of McD since it consists of McD, Mc Cafe, Cold Desserts -- all outdoor seating along Scotts Road (almost 20 metres long, I estimated) and under Shaw Building (where they put each table as growing plants on moutain steps -- below right picture)

Canon : The Science of Making Things Beautiful

These picture were taken at Shaw Centre on Scotts Road -- I have to post this story down in my blog since it's part of my achievement / contribution / masterpiece / creation / (whatever it can be mentioned) on LoLo-Eatable's Blog(s).

I am agree to the statement that "Canon IXUS The Science of Making Things Beautiful" -- Otherwise, my food pictures won't get this far yummy & mouth-watering as this !!!

Thank you to Canon ... including the guy who stole my previous Canon in Madrid, Spain last year -- Otherwise, I won't get this new advance Canon in-hand !!!

Singapore and Chewing Gum

When travelling to Singapore, you might have this question "Will I be able to bring chewing gum into Singapore?", right?

The answer is that the importation into Singapore of any chewing gum is prohibited under the Regulation of Imports and Exports (Chewing Gum) Regulations except for those of therapeutic value. This means no allowance for personal consumption !!!

The chewing gum ban in Singapore was enacted since 1992. This law was created because people disposed of gum incorrectly by sticking it on chairs, in mailboxes, inside keyholes and even on elevator buttons in high-rise public housing flats. The serious one was a sticking chewing gum on the door sensors of MRT trains to prevent the door from functioning properly and causing disruption of train services. -- Can you believe that incorrect disposal of gum led to this law banning gum by the Government !!!

This picture was taken from one Phamacy Shop where there is a clear plastic box selling chewing gum with the signage warning -- under the regulation set by NSA, sales of chewing gum is prohibited in the absence of the phamacist. Your coorporation is greatly appreciated.

I asked the phamacist myself, she said that it definitely needs a kind of approval / prescription from phamacist. In addition, customer needs to give information the phamacist their name & address detail as reference. Then, you can chew your chewing gum happily ever after ...

J.CO Donuts & Coffees

This is another food chain named 'J.CO Donuts & Coffees' which I accidentally found at Raffles City Shopping Centre. I can't help mentioning about it since it reminds me to Thailand Daddy's Dough -- reference : http://lolo-eatablethai.blogspot.com/2008/07/daddy-dough-recipe-from-dad.html.

J.CO Donuts & Coffees claims itself to be international premium donuts & coffees brand -- offers unique & original mixed flavours of donuts & beverages to consumer (unlike they have tasted before). J.CO first outlet was opented in Indonesia in 2005 then expaning to Malaysia & Singapore with franchising system.

Product available are donuts (which J.CO said it use ingredients from all over the world !!!), Yoghurt, Praline (chocolate), coffees, variety of blends (such as chocolate blend). Also introduce the new way of eating coffee which is 'dunk a donut in' ...

On my opinion, the taste of donuts is real -- What I mean is that Oreo is real, Chocolate is real and the dough itself is so soft & fluffy. Importantly, there is no artificial smell like other donut chain sometimes have ...

Another thing I like is that the way J.CO. named each flavour of donuts (written on signage front of each tray such as : Jacky Chunk (similar to Jacky Chan - famous HK star) : chunky chunk donut topping with chocolate make you go Haiiyahh !!!, Miss Green T : mirror mirror on the wall - who's the sexiest woman in the mall, etc. In addition, on each table at seating area, there is each name of donut flavour on - difference among table !!! This is such a good way to educate & create flavour awareness in deed ...

This includes a kind of open kitchen -- one section is near counter to show the finish up of donut such as topping almonds on and other section is at back of customer to show a baking process. Another interesting thing is that there is seperated sections from donuts and beverages -- System is to queue at the counter doghnut to order - pay at the end of counter including order beverage & drink and pay together - pick up whatever beverages you order at other counter (other side of outlet) - when you reach beverage counter, staff has prepared already according to your payment number !!!

J.CO Donuts & Coffees

2 branches in Singapore : Raffles City / Bugis Junction

More information about J.CO go to Website : http://www.jcodonuts.com/