Ser Seng Herbs: Musings of a Turtle Virgin
With smart and Mr.YaKwang
OK I admit it, I am a turtle virgin, so when smart suggested we go for Turtle Soup, I felt an emotional mix of excitement and trepidation at the same time.
Turtle soup is not for everyone and there's a lot urban legend surrounding this esoteric dish. Many believe that this dish is an aphrodisiac, warms the body and increases alertness. I am no expert in this, but I think it sounds as if there are some ingredients in the turtle soup that causes the blood vessels to dilate. So, dilatation of blood vessels in your skin would cause you to feel warm. More blood to the head increases your alertness and better blood flow to the John Thomas might mimic the effects of Viagara.
Now, eating Turtle soup in Geylang with two other men might be a especially risky if you happen to be a politician or a preacher. It is especially worse if you also look as if you are going to be withdrawing your CPF soon. Good thing I don't look like either, so I was quite safe. Smart on the other hand, looked like a golden honey comb glistening in the sunshine.
It was 2.30pm in the afternoon and the restaurant was quite packed with many golden honey combs and busy buzzing bees. It is the kind of scene that is becoming all too common in Geylang. It was common knowledge a few years ago that if you were in Geylang for food, then you should head for the odd number Lorongs and avoid the even Lorongs. It is unfortunate nowadays that parents have to think twice about bringing kids to eat in Geylang in order to avoid having to explain the process of the birds and the bees. The proliferation of shops selling adult toys is also another recent phenomenon to hit Geylang. Unlike the Western, more "liberal" countries where there are rules to keep these shops hidden from the view of children, in "conservative" Singapore it is ironic that a child can be staring at these adult toys easily from along the main road. Are there any readers from the appropriate Ministry reading this? Perhaps it's time to form a committee to look into this whole issue?
The beauty of Turtle Soup (I am told) is all that soft gelatinous skin and shell which you would love if you love Fish Head. Boiling all that cartilage makes the soup a little more smooth and viscous very much like Shark Bone Soup. Tastewise, the soup tasted like the standard herbal soup to me and all that soft gelatinous stuff didn't thrill me that much.At $40 per claypot of Turtle Soup, I am happy to say that it is money that I can save for something else. 3/5 Smart on the other hand came away well rejuvenated and glowing with renewed energy. He gave it 4.25/5. I guess you either love it or eat it just once and never again.
Conclusion
Maybe when I grow a bit older I would like it. At this point in time, I would save my calories for something else.
Ser Seng Herbs
29 Lor Bachok (Inside Lor 21 Geylang)
1100 - 1900,
Off on Thu 67483953
44 comments:
ahhh.. haven't had turtle soup for a long time but this was my favorite stall. the other one was the stall at the old zion road FC but have no idea where is it now? The BEST part of the turtle for me are the turtle legs. They are the most tender part and costs alot more cuz there's only 4 small lil legs on every turtle. ieat, did you guys eat the turtle leg?
Eh, can't really tell which part was which. I am sure the leg was in there somewhere. Don't know if they included the extra "leg" as well. Maybe smart ate it, cos he was quite happy after that.
There was once where the waitress act blur and did not want to refund me, the wet tissue $. needless to say, I stress my point and got one black face from her. These people
Jems, from the pics u can see the little leg portion. If u want better parts must always order the $48 or $60 clay pot size. My daughter always request them to add the 'little eggs'.
gondola1188 from the other forum? :)
haven't tried turtle soup, any other places to recommend? :)
OT
But try to shield your kid(s) from reality.When shit hits the ceiling, they dont know what they ought to do.
sorry, 'bd' as in 'bad'.
As far as I understand, turtle soup good for cleansing blood .... so like if u got bd skin, pimples and all, or very heaty, it is good to drink lor. It sure taste good but then again, I like fish eyes, fish head and all that.
Have to add the eggs - which looks like ping pong balls :) The soft and runny eggs thickens the soup slightly, however, there are some others like my brother who just prefer to slup the eggs by itself.
They have another branch just behind Jackson Kopitiam too.
The turtle soup at Jalan Besar FC is also good too and usuallys sells out slightly after lunch.
Damien, those eggs are not with shell. Very tiny ones, just the egg york. Next time go n request for it.Anyway turtle eggs are not allowed to be sold in Spore.
ya, have never had the turtle eggs before~ Something new!!
so uncle smart did you eat all da legs? keke
This spot has been my family's fav Turtle Soup place for the last few years, given the lack of good Turtle Soup restaurants in recent years.
I like how they specialise in their core products (Turtle Soup & Black Chicken Soup) instead of clogging up the menu with other items.
There's a good turtle soup specialist at MacPherson (opp MacPherson Kopitiam). I can't remember the name.
What does it for me is the super gao XO they add in -- customers actually leave their tagged bottles of XO there -- and chili. Very important, the chili is!
Starts from $10/bowl if I don't remember wrongly. They also offer black chicken soup and other herbal soups.
benita, that is their branch n it is air con.
Jems, did tried the eggs but Princess took most of it. They charge for these eggs n not many tiny eggs.
one of e food i dun dare to eat!!
Like you Khim, this is one food I will not touch.
Hi Liverpool 65, u are right of course :)
^5 to amagada! ;)
I tot turtles are protected species as they are near extinction? How come you guys still drink turtle soup? I quit eating sharks fins oredi!
Most of the turtles sold at hawker stalls and such are bred for consumption :)
Goes the same for those who like crocodile meats.
actually sharks are far from extinction. the animal conservists used the wrong word.
If sharks are really going into extinction, we can bred them for consumption? Anyway, anyone tried shark fish head? it s really yummy!
Hi Dictator, I 2nd your opinon. Where to get the shark head ? I will neber give up sharks fin soup
I forgot where i had my shark fish head. It was a few years back. But i know bottle tree village sells steamed shark head. I havent got a chance to try it, so I am not sure about the standard.
Tian Jin Hai at Punggol serves steamed shark head.
Love the gelatanious texture of the meat.
Read somewhere that the boss was the creator of the dish.
They recently moved to 600 Ponggol Seventeenth Avenue. Contact: 9768-8818
I love this. I think it is one of the best in SG. They have a small branch in Blk 630 Bedok Reservoir Road run by an old couple. I think they are relatives.
When in China, I like to have the Turtle cooked Claypot in Hong Shao style. But I don't think it is available in SG.
bashful hunter:
now tat u had mentioned it, maybe it'll be available pretty soon! ;)
Khim, if u can take turtle I try persuade Jason of Ya Kwang to do it. Already his hong shao fish head is so good.
uncle smart,
i dun dare to take turtle..
but i'm sure bashful hunter will be interested in ur suggestion! ;)
Khim, must try must try. it's really really yummy :)
I thought they are related to this turtle soup at Katong? - or at least that's what my sis told me as she knew the owner's son.
Actually I was told that all the turtle soup sellers are related. They are like a cartel or something. That might explain why its so expensive.
ya Damien, I watched Seetoh intro the steam shark head at last season of makansutra. His review then on the dish wasn't great - he said with new location, need to give the restaurant some time to get its standard back.
But it's some restaurant called Old Punggol Hock Kee. Is Tian Jin Hai the chinese name?
The restaurant shifted as you have said to Marina Country Club and now renamed to just Pungool Seafood.
hong shao turtle is available... just go jalan berseh food center to walk a few rounds and u shld find it...
jems,
cannot lar.. still "guo bu liao zi ji na guan"!!
The Hong Shao in China is with very little sauce not like the Hong Shao Fish at Ya Kwang.
Actually, I was quite surprised to see that much sauce/soup in the Ya Kwang Hong Shao Fishhead when I first saw it. Anyway, it is but a name. As long as nice, can liao.
Now that you mentioned about Jalan Berseh. I did see some signs years back showing Turtle in claypot dried style. Unfortunately, it was closed then. Perhaps I should revisit that place :-)
Khim, How to be a foodie if u dont try all kind of foods. Actually Jems is right it is very tasty.
Bashful Hunder, Jio me if u want to try the Jln Berseh one. Spoke to Jason yesterday, yes he can do it but need advance notice.
Yes, it is very yummy the soup. The way it is done in SG is very subtle.
Go to China, HK or Vietnam. They will show u the live turtle in a bucket to see if it is acceptable. In Vietnam, they drink the raw blood...yuck!
Will jio u to check out Berseh, maybe next week.
jalan berseh hong shao turtle doesnt have a lot of sauce. Definitely the more traditional kind and much "dryer" than yakwang hong shao style. You shouldnt find their hong shao style surprising since they are quite known to be innovative.
There is one stall in Toa Payoh Lorong 6-7 market hawker stall. My family simply loves the herbal turtle soup and it is inexpensive too. If I am not wrong (cos have not been there for a quite awhile) one bowl of soup plus rice shouldnt be more than $6 0r $8 dollars. Alternatively, if you prefer in casserole pot.. it will cost more.
The most amazing part is that you can refill the soup FOC... which we always did.
jalan berseh refill the soup FOC. Maybe they give me special treatment. i m their regular...
Is turtle soup only supposed to be eaten by men? Is it too "bu" for women? Would appreciate it if someone could clarify for me...
I always go to the original one at 39 Tai Thong Crescent. Grew up with it and enjoying it till today!
went to a shop at gl lor3,soup is much better.less oily n had better service.
yup,me tried the one at lor 3 before...its soup is really less oily. And the good thing is you won't feel thirsty after bowls of the soup.Definately the better turtle soup i've tasted !
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