We’re back with our Makan Kaki Lyn Lee, of Awfully Chocolate, Sinpopo Brand & now mooncakefair.com her new project, just in time for Mid-Autumn Festival. The countdown begins from now till 1 October! Scroll down for details on this one-stop virtual mooncake marketplace and also, the selection of mooncakes Awfully Chocolate has for the season. Or have a listen to our podcast here.
HEAR:
- Click to listen or download podcast of Mooncakefair.com Part 1.
- Click to listen or download podcast of Mooncakefair.com Part 2.
- Click to listen or download podcast of Mooncakefair.com Part 3.
- Click to listen or download podcast of our Makan Kaki’s Nyonya Cafe recommendation.
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This week, Lyn also wants to share with us the joys of a childhood hangout – Bukit Timah Plaza! Anyone who grew up in the area will remember iconic eating places in the shopping centre, like Wishbone and Happy Kappy ice-cream. Struck by a craving, she popped by to check things out and sadly it has since closed down. So she walked around looking for something else to eat and chanced upon Tok Panjang Nonya Cafe in Basement 1, run by a husband and wife team, Patrick and Angelina. On that day, Patrick was the only one there and what a friendly, persuasive character he is. He kept saying, “Come in and try our homemade kueh kueh. If you try, you’ll definitely come in to eat!”
The exchange was so fun, that Lyn and her family allowed themselves to be cajoled into the cafe for a bite to eat. They ordered Nasi Kunyit with whole chicken leg curry & Mee Rebus, which they enjoyed. In particular, the fragrance of the yellow rice was lovely and the curry is thick and savoury, with a hint of sweetness. Tok Panjang isn’t about elaborate Peranakan dishes, but is dedicated to simple, satisfying, no-nonsense home-cooking.
Other dishes to try are their Mee Siam (both dry and soup versions are yummy) and their Laksa Lemak, which is very tasty, with lots of curry flavour, rich coconut and a little sweetness rounding things off. Other goodies include their Nasi Lemak, excellent crispy fried ikan billis (super-tasty & addictive, available in takeaway containers) and their dish of the day, which varies. The day I visited, soy braised chicken rice was on the menu and wow, the rice (which Patrick generously doled out in tiny tasting cups) was just like Hainanese chicken rice – fragrant with garlic and pandan, shiny from delicious chicken fat.
But Tok Panjang’s signature has got to be their handmade kueh kueh – 4 pieces for $4 – on display at the very front of the cafe. One bite and you’ll immediately know that these have been made from scratch, with love.
All the kueh kueh looked gorgeous, with their different colours and textures.
Kueh Pandan (green), Kueh Kosui (brown) & Ubi Kaya Kukus (yellow) were all meltingly tender and not too sweet, especially when showered with the savoury grated fresh coconut. The sweet potato ondeh-ondeh was also squelchingly good.
Also available is the Pulut Seri Kaya, also known as Kueh Salat. Unusually, Tok Panjang’s version has sticky black rice topped with the thick pandan custard on top. But Lyn’s favourite is the Ubi Kayu Kukus, steamed tapioca kueh. But you can also enjoy their Kueh Bingka, which is baked tapioca with a browned crust on top.
Other sweet treats you might want to try are their refreshing Mango Sago, or their Chendol. We’ve saved the best for last though – their Chendol Agar-Agar is really fantastic and worth the calories. It is exactly chendol captured in a firm, layered jelly – delicious and creamy, yet light and refreshing.
Another plus is Patrick’s generosity with samples. One visit and I had tastes of butter cake, chocolate cake, and a whole selection of savoury mains. Lyn too, was the recipient of a bag of kuehs to takeaway for free one afternoon when she arrived with friends. It was Patrick’s way of saying sorry they had almost sold out.
It’s always these spontaneous discoveries that leave a lasting impression and you’ll definitely remember Tok Panjang for their delicious home-cooked Nonya rice and noodle dishes, as well as their lovely handmade kueh kueh. Please so go early though, because they often sell out right after lunchtime. Best to go first thing in the morning when they open at 9am.
TASTE:
Tok Panjang Nonya Cafe @ Bukit Timah Plaza
1 Jalan Anak Bukit, B1-52C, S(588996)
Open Daily: 9am -5.30pm
Tel: +65 92737979
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Mooncakefair.com is Singapore’s first and largest dedicated online mooncake fair & one-stop shop that runs from now till 1 October 2020. The mooncakes are delivered straight to customers’ doorsteps in temperature-controlled food trucks, straight from a F&B centralised distribution centre.
With over 35 notable brands from hotels, restaurants, and bakeries, Mooncakefair.com currently has the widest variety of mooncake players on a single dedicated mooncake platform.
There’s also a special feature for corporate and bulk orders – discounts can be applied by combining orders across all brand partners, so no need to commit to a large quantity from any one brand before getting that corporate price or bulk discount!
While you’re on mooncakefair.com, check out Awfully Chocolate’s extraordinary artisanal mooncakes luxuriously presented in one-of-a-kind bespoke wooden keepsake chests. The Awfully Chocolate Mid-Autumn Collection 2020 comprises two distinct styles of mooncakes – Classic Baked Mooncakes and Chocolate Truffle Mooncakes.
Each chest of Classic Baked Mooncakes boasts four different flavours, baked in either light golden Shanghai pastry or signature dark chocolate pastry. New this year is the Six Treasures with White Lotus flavour, inspired by the traditional “Five Nut” mooncake with a unique spin. The 100% Premium Dark Cocoa’s distinctive roast is enhanced with a salty-sweet medley of fruit and nut, creating a lovely balance in flavour and texture.
Complementing the Classic Baked Mooncakes is the matching wooden chest of pure Chocolate Truffle Mooncakes. Every exquisitely handcrafted chest of eight holds four delightful flavours.
Reserve now on Awfullychocolate.com to receive the best deals and exclusives.
Makan Kakis on Gold 905 