SUPER CRISPY PRATA!

Hi Mr & Mrs Mohgan!

And Hi Denise & Chef Rishi!

 

This week, we meet a new Makan Kaki, head chef of Modern Australian Restaurant, Cheek By Jowl at 21 Boon Tat Street. Rishi Naleendra was born in Sri Lanka, but moved to Australia to study and work. He cut his culinary teeth at renowned restaurants like Tetsuya and Taxi, before moving to Singapore to start his open kitchen restaurant with his wife Manuela. He handles everything in the kitchen and in his words, Manuela handles “everything else”, including the wines!

 

• Click here to hear our chat about Cheek by Jowl and his approach to cooking for diners.
• Click here for where this chef likes to eat locally when he’s not cooking at his restaurant!

OK, Foodie Friends, time for an oldie but a goodie – Easties will be familiar with this Joo Chiat favourite and it’s no surprise that Chef Rishi has chosen this simple, Mom-and-Pop shop as one of his go-to places for local Indian food. In Sri Lanka, they have something similar but more doughy and chewy, so Singapore-style Roti Prata was a revelation to him. First of all, this is a prata that absolutely lives up to its name – it really is SUPER CRISPY! Crisp & flaky on the outside, yet fluffy on the inside, Chef Rishi says this one is a winner on all counts – flavour, texture are all on point. Dipped into the fish curry that is substantial, tasty and redolent with that seafoody aroma, the prata is really an addictive dish.

Chef Rishi’s been trying to cut down, but when he first moved to Singapore, he couldn’t get enough of this prata – he would usually order up 2 plain pratas, one egg and one plaster. In particular, the plaster is something he’s never seen anywhere else besides Singapore & Malaysia and it reminds him of that typically western breakfast of egg on toast. Prata Plaster is the Singapore version and when you cut into it, that runny yolk, combined with the crispy fried pastry, is in his opinion, ‘perfection”!

Prata Plaster in the making by Mr Moghan & his assistant:

Look at that egg!

The beauteous result:

Mr & Mrs Mohgan, together with their helpers, have a great little business going and see a steady stream of customers everyday. Be prepared for a bit of a wait, but Mr Mohgan does his fastest best. The whole set-up is efficient, and to keep track, orders (both dine-in & takeaway) are handwritten on Mrs Mohgan’s clipboard. Mrs Mohgan is a cute, friendly lady who’s so used to food “tourists”, she amiably moves aside and waits for you to take photos and when your order is ready, she calls you sister or brother with a gentle smile. You gotta go try the Mr & Mrs Mohgan experience!

Mr and Mrs Mohgan’s Super Crispy Roti Prata
Poh Ho Restaurant
7 Crane Road, S429356
Open: 6.30am – 1.30pm (closed on Tues/Wed 3rd week of the month)
Tel: 97943124

 

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Balestier’s Best #4: Delicious Northern Indian Food

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Listen to this week’s spicy episode here!

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This week, we continue our guide to good eats in Balestier with our Makan Kaki Shermay Lee. If you’re in need of a Northern Indian spice fix, look no further than a little corner in Balestier Plaza for excellent Tandoori, hence it’s name – Tandoori Corner! Owned & run by the affable Mr Satish, this is a wonderful hidden gem of a family restaurant which serves up well-priced and delicious Northern Indian classics.

Shermay’s must try list includes:

• Chicken Tandoori
• Fish Tikka

• Prawn Masala
• Garlic Naan (plain is good too) to soak up all the lovely gravies
• Lassi (plain & mango)

Affordability is really the factor here at Tandoori Corner, but flavours are never compromised, so you’ll always get a meal of great taste and value!

TASTE:
TANDOORI CORNER
400 Balestier Road
Balestier Plaza
#01-12
Open daily for lunch 12-2.45pm & dinner 6-9.45pm

For more Tandoori Corner, check out our other Makan Kaki Don Mendoza’s recommendation here!

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Very Veggie at MTR

MTR Set Meal

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SEE:
This week, our intrepid Makan Kaki Juwanda Hassim, The Fabulous Baker Boy, wants to share a recent discovery Vegetarians will love. Non-vegetarians will love it too, because taste-wise, the satisfying array of dishes never disappoint. This Indian Vegetarian restaurant, which started almost 100 years ago in Bangalore India, has been getting rave reviews since it opened here in Singapore 3 years ago and was recommended by a couple of friends originally from Chennai, who are definitely in the know when it comes to what’s good and what’s not! So what’s the big fuss over MTR 1924? First of all, Mavalli Tiffin Rooms, better known as MTR, takes the purity of their vegetarian food very seriously – even the restaurant is spotless. The open kitchen sees dish after dish of South Indian Vegetarian delicacies being served daily, but here are some of Juwanda’s favourites.

Masala Dosa

Their Masala Dosa is served as a folded triangle, smaller than the usual, but it’s so crusty, crispy and manages to maintain that irresistible crispness.  Extra flavour is brushed on in the form of magic butter – ghee and everything blends together perfectly – the condiments, the potato filling that’s perfectly cooked and never mushy.

Rava Idli

Rava Idli is another must-try. It’s a steamed semolina cake with yoghurt, coriander, cashews, curry leaves, mustard seeds and ghee, served with potato sagu and chutney. Also look out for their sweet version.

Rice Idli

Onion Uthappam

Chappati

They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, with a special set menu that changes daily, so you can literally eat there everyday and taste something different and delicious! And be sure to order a cup of their filter coffee to go along with dessert.

Weekend Special Thali

Filter Coffee

Last word from Juwanda. Dining at MTR is such a joyous expereince. Pure happiness is knowing that the owners take such pride in the food they serve and what you’re eating is healthy, pure and light.

TASTE:
MTR 1924
438, Serangoon Road (Opp. Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple)
Singapore 218133, Singapore (Formerly Mtr)
Open Tues – Sun: 8am – 3pm, 5.30 – 9.30pm (closed from 3 – 5.30 pm & Mondays)
Tel: +65 6296 5800

Where Sommeliers Eat: Gerri Sottile of Mykonos on the Bay

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Click here to listen to this week’s globalicious episode!

SEE & TASTE:
This week, Sommelier & General Manager of Mykonos on the Bay, Gerri Sottile, shares some of his favourite places to eat in Singapore…

via https://www.facebook.com/bluelotusrestaurant/

Blue Lotus – Chinese Eating House
31 Ocean Way (Sentosa)
This neighbouring restaurant has been making a splash at Quayside Isle on Sentosa and Gerri is not the only one raving about their signature Chilli Crab. Now, he understands Chilli Crab can be a point of contention for lovers of this beloved local dish, and while he can’t cook it, he has sampled many chilli crabs at many different restaurants and The Blue Lotus’ gets his seal of approval because it is unique. This Chilli Crab is a fresh take on a classic with a slightly different taste from what you would expect, probably because the recipe has been tweaked and modern fusion elements added for a really delicious, satisfying dish that isn’t blow-your-head-off-spicy!
#01-13 Quayside Isle
Reservations: 6339 0880

Fish head Curry

The Banana Leaf Apolo
This classic restaurant has been around for years and Gerri adores it for its traditional serving on Banana leaf, something he had never seen before in Europe, and also the wide variety of both Northern & Southern Indian dishes. He especially l;oves the different curries and Tandoori chicken.
54 Race Course Rd, Singapore 218564
Email : enquiry@thebananaleafapolo.com
Phone Number : +65 6293 8682

Shinji by Kanaseka
This is possibly one of the most renowned names for Japanese cuisine in Singapore and Gerri frequents either branch for super fresh fish, excellent cuts and expertly handled. He recommends sitting at the bar and giving the chef the go ahead to take care of you. You won’t be disappointed!
Raffles Hotel
Reservations: +65 6338 6131
St Regis Hotel
T: +65 6884 8239

North Indian Food Served Pub-style!

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Click here for this week’s spicy on-air episode!

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This week, our ever-eager food guru Violet Oon reveals on of her favourite places to eat in her neighbourhood… Not far from her Bukit Timah eatery is a cosy foodcourt she affectionately calls an “ang moh kopitiam” because it has several stalls serving different cuisines and the central drinks counter serves up beers pub-style. Bar Bar Black Sheep is a popular haunt for expats who enjoy the food with a cold brew alfresco and Violet’s favourite stall here is the North Indian one, called Sher.

Owner Paul, a former banker, has several branches but the Bukit Timah one is Violet’s choice for ambiance and flavour. She describes the taste of the North Indian food served at Sher as elegant – a reflection of the owner’s palate. There is depth of flavour without blowing your head off – spicy, but subtlely so and very fragrant.

Violet recommends these dishes – she orders these regularly!

• Chicken Tikka Marsala & Butter Chicken (both curries are spiced perfectly and yes, very fragrant).
• Aloo Gobi (Potato and Cauliflower stew – well-cooked but not too mushy).
• Palek Paneer (Cottage cheese with creamed spinach).
  
• Kashmiri Pilau (the Peranakan in Violet cannot resist the slight sweetness of this dish, which comes from the dried fruits. The Basmati rice is boiled in a lot of water, almost like Teochew Porridge, till it’s 3/4 cooked. Then it’s drained and stir-fried with ghee and mouth–watering spices like cardamom, caraway, fennel and cloves in the North Indian version of the wok, called a  kadhai. There’s also a delectable hint of tartness from julienned cucumber and finished off with coriander leaves.)
  
• Fish Briyani (an unexpected dish that really grew on Violet. It came with lots of deep-fried, battered fish fillets and the flavours were not chilli-spicy, but fragrant with spices that really developed even more overnight).
• Naan & Papadum

TASTE:
Sher North Indian Cuisine – Casual Dining & Bar
BAR BAR BLACK SHEEP @ 879 BUKIT TIMAH ROAD SINGAPORE 279892
OPENING HOURS: 1PM – 10PM

Northern Indian at Jaggi’s

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A little bit of everything, including Papadum & Naan

This week, The Fabulous Baker Boy Juwanda Hassim recommends the meat & vegetarian heaven that’s called Jaggi’s Northern Indian Cuisine in Serangoon’s Little India. It’s not very big (maybe a 60-seater) or very fancy and when you first enter, it looks a bit disorganised – you order from the counter (there’s usually a crowd), but the staff are knowledgeable and generally polite – when in doubt, just point at what you like.

Choose whatever you like at the counter

They do great kebabs and Tandooris. Oh, the Tandooris – from the verdant green coriander-marinated kind to the spicy bright orange kind, it’s all good. Juicy, not dry, perfectly balanced with smokiness, spices and full-on flavour.

Look at those generous portions of chicken – Tandoori & in the Dum Biriyani

Close up on the Mutton Kebabs, Chicken Dum Biriyani & Tandoori Chicken

Be sure to order the Butter Chicken – Juwanda is not the only one who swears theirs is the best in Singapore! It’s tender, rich, comforting and goes so well with the Rotis or Biriyani.

Close up on the Butter Chicken, Aloo Gobi & Raita

Most of their vegetarian options are delicious, but Juwanda’s all-time favourite is the potato-cauliflower Aloo Gobi.
All in all, Jaggi’s is perfect for a party of both meat-eaters and vegetarians – do not miss this!

Enter for a great meal!

TASTE:
Jaggi’s Northern Indian Cuisine
34/36 Race Course Road
Opening Hours:
Mon – Sat: 11:30 – 15:00
Mon – Sat: 18:00 – 22:30
Sun: 10:30 – 22:30
Phone: +65 62966141