Stop Press! Beef Epok Epok is Here!

With PowerAunty and iwatch_ueat


I am sure you all still remember the Heart Shaped Epok Epok which I featured around Valentine's day. At the end of the blog I mentioned that I was on a quest to get them to make a Minced Beef Epok Epok for me. After several SMSes, the Mak Cik at Merpati Putih finally did it! After experimenting with several different shapes, she finally settled on this simple "MacDonald's Apple Pie" shape for her Beef Epok Epok.



I don't think I would ever eat an ordinary potato Epok Epok again! She seasoned the minced beef like a Keema and fried it till it was fragrant and added some potatoes. There is a good proportion of beef in this curry puff so it can be truly called a "beef with potatoes" rather than the other way around. To borrow liverpool1965's fav expression: "Ooooooo, very shiok!" 4.5/5

Conclusion:

A definite MUST TRY because I believe it is the first of its kind in Singapore and it will seriously give your tastebuds a good workout! The Beef Epok Epok is around one and a half times bigger than the normal Epok Epok and costs $2. It is a special order item at the moment so you should ring up first to order before you go down. Hopefully it will become so popular that it becomes a regular item at the stall just like the ieat SuperBurger and Double Whammy.

786 Merpati Putih
Geylang Serai Temp Mkt
#01-295
9am to 5.30pm daily
Closed on Mondays
91653577

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Rojak Geylang Serai: Indian Rojak: Geylang Serai Temp Mkt Supplemental

There has been an outbreak reported at this stall! Please beware.


I had initially decided not to blog this stall as I have too many blogs still waiting to be published. But since Aichiak had requested a review of the stall, I will just include it into this series on Geylang Serai Temp Mkt.



As we Teochews (& Hokkiens) would say, when it comes to Indian Rojak, "Lose-Win" is the sauce. I suspect that most of the Stuff is procured from the factory, but I could be wrong. The items all taste the same as any other Indian Rojak stall to me, but the sauce here is quite commendable. It is a little on the sweet side, but our resident Indian Rojak expert, liverpool commented that it was as good as the one in Waterloo St (I have never been there). Based on that recommendation, I give it a 4/5.

Conclusion

There are people who have recommended this stall and it is one of the few stalls with a queue at around 3pm in the afternoon. So it must be good for some people. As you can sense, I was not all that impressed, but as I said, it was commendable.

Rojak Geylang Serai
#01-320 Geylang Serai Temp Mkt
9am to 9pm daily
Closed Monday

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Sinar Pagi Nasi Padang; Bukit Tinggi Style Nasi Padang: Geylang Serai Temp Mkt Part 5 of 5

With liverpool and iwatch_ueat


I am no expert in Nasi Padang. For me Nasi Padang is the stuff that Rendesvous Restaurant used to dish out in the good old days. What I really liked about Nasi Padang is the yellow green curry chicken whose name can range from Chicken Korma to Opor Ayam depending on who you talk to. I remembered the curry had this particular taste that was really shiok.

Anyway while walking around the Geylang Serai Temp Mkt, we spied this stall with lots of recommendations stuck on the front, so we decided to try out the food on your behalf. ( : ) Yah like its such a big sacrifice!)

The Chicken Bumbu (Fried chicken with fried grated coconut aka Kerisik) was good but as with all fried chicken it needs to be taken fresh. The piece we got was one of the last pieces so it was a tad dry. The Kerisik was quite good though. 3.5/5



One of the dishes I would order again is the Chicken Rendang. The gravy has got that special oomph about it and went very well with the rice. Liverpool liked it immensely. 4/5



Begedil (mashed potato) is one of my favourite dishes. A good begedil is made from local potatoes which tend to be buttery and slightly sweet. The potatoes should roughly pound so that it is still a little chunky and it should be moist and savoury on the inside. This one fulfills the above criteria and is quite agreeable. 4/5



The stallowner was explaining to me that one of the the differences between Padang food and Malay food is difference in condiments used. This is their version of the Sambal. It is not as well fried as the Malay Sambal so it's tastes a bit lighter.

Conclusion

As I said, I am no Nasi Padang expert. I found the food delicious and nice enough to include in this series of blogs. So can I ask our Nasi Padang experts to write in your comments please!


Sinar Pagi Nasi Padang
#01-353 Geylang Serai Temp Mkt
9am-10.30pm daily
Off: Every fortnight on Mon and Thurs

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Cendol Geylang Serai: Real Chendol! Geylang Serai Temp Mkt Part 4 of 5

With liverpool and iwatch_ueat


If you have read my previous post, you would get the sense that I am quite out of touch with some Malay/Indian food and will need to rely on our readers to give their opinions on the food. I am just trying to be as honest as I can. When it comes to food that I have not had enough experience in, it would be very foolish if I were to rave about mediocre stuff.

I have not had Cendol for quite a few years already because I always end up opting for something without coconut milk in it. But I have tasted great Cendol when I was younger and I can say that the Gula Melaka and Coconut Milk in this one is quite good. What sets it apart is the use of only homemade Cendol (That is the pale green stuff). Yes, the original Cendol does not have Red Beans, Chin Chow and Agar Agar. It is just the Cendol. I remember eating Cendol in Malaysia and that was it as well. So if you want to try an authentic Cendol, this is certainly a place for it! 4/5

Conclusion

This stall is quite well known and a good place to sample authentic Cendol.

Cendol Geylang Serai
Geylang Serai Temp Mkt #01-372
9am-7pm
Faizal 94855845

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Haji M Abdul Razak Stall: Care for Some Mutton Soup? Geylang Serai Temp Mkt Part 3 of 5

With liverpool and iwatch_ueat


I think I must have stopped taking mutton soup about 20 years ago ever since I started to get worried about my cholesterol levels. But I do remember some of the really shiok mutton soup that my Dad and I used to have when I was a kid. Nowadays, it is not just the cholesterol that worries me, its also the fact that spicy, oily stuff always gives me indigestion.

But anyway, this stall's signboard states that they are a branch of the famous Upper Boon Keng Food Centre which have been dishing up Mutton Soup since 1955. Ok lah, worth a try.

The soup was actually very good. It was smooth and savoury (some mutton soup can be quite powdery) and its great when you are looking for something to satisfy that craving for umami. 4/5. The owner said the soup over at the main branch would be even better as the turnover was greater over there, so the soup would be tastier. (Looks like a visit to Upper Boon Keng FC is in order)



Liverpool liked the mee goreng here. For me, I'll have to admit that I have tasted bad mee goreng before to say that this one is NOT bad, but I haven't yet tasted a superdupershiok mee goreng to say that this one is NOT shiok. So I will give it 3.75/5

Conclusion

Have not tasted enough of these dishes to make a good judgement. To me they were quite good. Please write in if you know of this stall or their main branch!

Haji M Abdul Razak Stall
#01-335 Geylang Serai Temp Mkt
Deen 90053695

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Merpati Putih: Epok Epok Love: Geylang Serai Temp Mkt Part 2 of 5

A Pre Valentine's Day Special Feature with iwatch_ueat and liverpool


We were just walking around Geylang Serai Temp Market looking for other shiok stuff to eat when I chanced upon this stall selling Epok Epok Love with a picture of Minister of Environment, Yaacob Ibrahim eating one of the curry puffs. If it's good enough for a Minister, it must be good enough for me!



So what's so special about this Epok Epok and why do they make it into the shape of a heart? Well it turns out there is a long story behind the whole thing. (Remember I said most long stories take only about a minute to tell?)

You know how life sometimes throws you a curve ball and turns everything upside down? Well, that's what happened to Junaida who used to be a Salesgirl over at Joo Chiat Complex. Her husband lost his job 3 years ago and out of desperation, they turned to making Epok Epok to keep the family of five going. Even their 3 boys gave up their TV time in order to help peel potatoes. Thankfully, after some time their Epok Epok became so popular that they were making 600 to 1000 per day! Knowing how hard life can be, they in turn use their Blessings to be a Blessing to others by donating Epok Epok to charity. Hence, Epok Epok love. Curry Puffs made from the heart.



OK, so it's a HEARTwarming story, but what does it do for the stomach?

This is probably the most impressive Epok Epok I have eaten till now. Each Epok Epok only costs 40cents but the filling is very generous and it even comes with eggs inside. The sardine puffs had more sardine than onions and were pretty full too. Their Heart Shaped Curry Puffs are a special order item. Each one costs $1 and it contains pieces are yummy chicken meat, potatoes and eggs inside. I actually prefer these Epok Epok over the Chinese version because the skin is thin and crispy so you won't feel jerlak after eating a few of them. Before I forget, you must get Junaidah to give you some sambal to put into the Epok Epok, oooooohhh sedap lah Mak Cik (Very tasty lah, Aunty!) 4.25/5



For those special occasions, you might even consider ordering their BIG heart shaped Epok Epok ($15 special order) to be shared among loved ones! Hmm, with Valentine's Day just around the corner, I wonder if it is romantic to present a curry puff like this to your loved one?

Conclusion

Definitely one of the best Epok Epok I have eaten! Now I am trying to convince Junaida to make me a Minced Beef Super Epok Epok! Stay tuned.

786 Merpati Putih
Geylang Serai Temp Mkt
#01-295
9am to 5.30pm daily
Closed on Mondays
91653577

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Geylang (Hamid's) Briyani Stall: I went back 3 times in a week! Geylang Serai Temp Mkt Part 1 of 5

With iwatch_ueat and liverpool


Once in a long while, you get so enamoured by a certain dish that you just keep going back because you can't get enough of it. This is precisely what happened to me when I first tasted Hamid's Briyani last week. This recommendation came from a comment from one of the numerous "Anonymous" readers of this blog (You guys should really just give yourself a pen name!)



No kidding, I have to say that this is the most tasty meal $3 ($3 for mutton, $3.50 for chicken) can buy in Singapore! You will derive the most pleasure per dollar from this one dish compared with any other food in Singapore and I would like to see if anyone can top this.

The texture of the rice was near perfect. The grains were fluffy and separate and firm to the bite and you can taste the buttery ghee and spices in it. I said near perfect because they don't use the top grade of Basmati rice here ($3 what do you expect?). The mutton was so tender you could seperate it with a fork and it literally dissolves in your mouth. (That could be that particular piece that we had). The Chicken Masala ($3.50) gravy was the real killer. The combination of the gravy with the rice was 100% satisfaction. 4.75/5



Pak Hamid might look like Saddam Hussein, but he was a real jovial fellow who didn't mind sharing a few tips on how to cook briyani with us. So here's how his Briyani is made: You start by frying the onions in oil till golden brown, then you add in the cloves, cinnamon and other spices and fry it until it is fragrant. Next add Evaporated milk and water and bring to boil. Add the rice in the ratio of 1:1. Stir constantly while the rice is being cooked. When it is cooked, add ghee and dab some yellow colouring on top of the rice, then stir and mix the rice. (I think I would just go to Hamid's and pay $3, wouldn't you?)



Conclusion

This has been the only stall that I have revisited 3 times in a week since I started the blog. I would challenge anyone to find something more tongue tinglingly satisfying for the same price! Now, the man himself told us that on Wednesdays, he sometimes makes a very special Fish Dum Briyani using top grade Basmati Rice and that this is even more shioker than what we had. Can't wait to find out!

NB1: Some one told me about a $11 Briyani in little India that is absolutely devastating. I am waiting for a chance to see if it can match Hamid's satisfaction per dollar value. To do that it would have to be 4-5 times more tasty!

NB2: I also sampled 2 other Briyani's this week which I will not be blogging. They were Abak's Dum Briyani around Arab St area and another stall at Geylang Serai Temp Mkt run by 2 sisters. They were highly recommended by some people. I have decided not to blog them for the moment because I was not so thrilled with them as I was with Hamid's.

Geylang Briyani Stall
aka Hamid's Briyani
Geylang Serai Temp Market #01-327
9am - 5pm
Closed: Monday
98310574
Acknowledgement: An Anonymous reader' recommended this on the House of Briyani post

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