.Food.Tasting.at.Paradise.Teochew.Restaurant.

Last week, I was invited by Paradise Group to a sponsored food tasting session at their new kid on the block, Paradise Teochew Restaurant (潮樂軒), located at the Chinese Swimming Club. With this, Paradise Group aims to extend deeper into its roots of being the experts in Chinese cuisine.

Teochew cuisine is famed for its deft handling of seafood and poultry, particularly in bringing out the natural taste of the fresh ingredients used. It is also known for being a celebrated source of healthy and light dishes, being light-handed on the seasonings and with minimal use of oil.

I was delighted when checking out their extensive menu of over a hundred dishes of Teochew style signatures, from appetisers and braised specialties to a full line-up of seafood, meat and poultries, and even coupled with an array of dim sum offerings. Diners will be sooo spoilt for choice!

image

After deciding on my choice of dishes, I sat back and allow myself to soak in the happy atmosphere of the spacious and brightly lit restaurant. At the same time, nibbling on the peanuts side dish as well as having a Glutinous Rice Tea to help revv up my system before the awesome meal.

image

image

image

Our appetiser was the Braised Trio Combination in Teochew Style (潮式卤味三拼盘).
Price: $22 for small / $33 for medium / $44 for large.

image

Consisting of Braised Duck Meat, Braised Octopus and Braised Pork Belly, couple with Braised Beancurd at the bottom too. The meat was braised so nicely and I actually finished them together with the skin and fats (which usually I’ll pick them out and just eat the meat parts). It’s my first time eating octopus braised in this way too!

Next up for our Main No. 1, we had the Sautéed Pomfret Fillet with Tomato and Salted Vegetables (咸菜番茄煮鲳鱼件).
Price: $28 for small / $42 for medium / $56 for large

image

The tomato soup base was rather refreshing when coupled with salted vegetables and onions. The pomfret used was really fresh too!

For our Main No. 2, we went for Stewed Pork Ribs with Bitter Gourd and Cucumber in Casserole (黄瓜凉瓜排骨煲).
Price: $18 for small / $27 for medium / $36 for large

image

Warning: This dish is for bitter gourd lovers only.

The soup tasted really nourishing, with the bitter gourd aftertaste lingering in your throat for awhile after you swallowed it. But it made me wanna keep sinking my spoon into the casserole for more. The pork ribs soaked in all the goodness from the soup, though I was wishing the meat can be a ‘lil more tender.

Next up was our vegetable choice of Braised Mustard Green with Shredded Conpoy and Dried Shrimps (瑶柱虾籽大芥菜).
Price: $18 for small / $27 for medium / $36 for large

image

Frankly speaking, this was my first time trying mustard green, without any prior knowledge of how this vegetable was going to taste like. I have to say, this dish made me feel really healthy and for consuming my daily intake of 2 portions of greens. This crunchy vegetable has an aftertaste similar to that of bitter gourd, but with an even rawer taste. If you are not a fan of mustard green, do still have a taste of the clear and sweet stock base.

I can never do without rice for a day, and being a fried rice lover, I’ll definitely not miss out on Fried Rice wih Yam in Teochew Style (潮式芋头炒饭).
Price: $14 for small / $21 for medium / $28 for large

image

Generous portion of various ingredients like prawns and yam in this fried rice! The small size can actually serve 2-3 pax, but it’s so yummy I think I can have the whole plate to myself.

Every meal has to end with a dessert, hence we chose a very Teochew style dessert of Crispy Pumpkin, Yam and Sweet Potato Strips (金银三宝烙) which we haven’t tried before.
Price: $12 (one size)

image

Eat it while it’s hot! This dessert was sooo addictive, couple with the peanut bits sprinkled on top. Even though I was already very full from the previous dishes, I simply cannot not have more than one serving of this. Highly recommended!!

With a sweet ending to this food tasting session, the overall experience was really pleasant and comforting (to our satisfied tummies). The PR Manager of this restaurant, Leon Teh, had been really helpful and attentive to all our needs, patiently introducing and explaining to us about each dish that we ordered.
Although this place is a ‘lil far off for me since I stay in the North (Chinese Swimming Club is located near Parkway Parade), I’d loved to bring my family here one day for them to try the lovely and healthy dishes, and for me to give their a dim sum a go too.

Thanks again to the Paradise Group for this experience!
I hope you guys can go try it out too!! ^_^

Paradise Teochew Restaurant
Address: 21 Amber Road, Chinese Swimming Club, #03-01 (via Arrival Pavilion), Singapore 439870
Tel: (65) 6348 7298

Business Hours:
Mon-Fri
1130am to 330pm (last order at 3pm)
6pm to 1030pm (last order at 10pm)

Sat, Sun & Public Holidays
1030am to 330pm (last order at 3pm)
6pm to 1030pm (last order at 10pm)

.days.of.ving’s.life.:.hongkong.episode.2.


WELCOME BACK ! ! !

In this post, I’ll share with you guys what I did / where I went on the 2nd day of my Hong Kong trip!!!
(In case you missed out Day 1’s, here’s it!!!)

After a good night’s rest, we begin the day with a hearty meal at this Golden Sand Restaurant (or rather, a Hong Kong cafe) that’s just across from our hotel!
Glimpse of my jacket for the day that comes with a big hoodie!!! Love it!!!
Address: 85-87 Ivy Street, Tai Kok Tsui, Hong Kong
Station: Olympic (Exit B1/C1)
Hours: Daily 630am – 12am
Contact: (852) 2392-4919

Big portions of food!!
Black Pepper Chicken Chop on Hotplate / Seafood Baked Rice
Happy with my food choice!!!
Also, bonus point for this restaurant was that it came with 2 cute chefs!
The kitchen was kinda open concept so I fed my eyes very well too! *chuckles*
After filling our tummies, time to explore some parts of Hong Kong!
1st stop: Sham Shui Po area.
This area came into the headlines last year end  ‘cos some scenes for a Hollywood mega blockbuster were being filmed there.
Can you guess which movie is it??? *drumroll*

TRANSFORMERS 4 ! ! ! ! !

Check out these links if you are interested to know more about the filming!
English: http://as.reddit.com/r/Moviesinthemaking/comments/1oy6a1/transformers_4_being_filmed_in_sham_shui_po_hong/
Mandarin: http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/entertainment/art/20131021/18472226

Apliu Street in Sham Shui Po is more commonly known as 鴨寮街, a street consisting of a large flea market selling ALL sorts of electronic/electrical components and related products.
I bought 2 casings for my Note 3 from here!
Another known street in Sham Shui Po is Yu Chau Street, 汝州街.
Most people who are the crafty type will, in one way or another, know or have heard of this street.
It is literally a treasure heaven for them (me included!), with shops and shops selling beads, ribbons, buttons, fabrics, and lotsa party items!
The huge selection range for any single item is AMAZING…..
I totally resisted myself from buying ALL the colors/styles back.
Do check out the area if you are in Hong Kong and looking for materials for your handicrafts!
Next up on our list was a place which I’d been super looking forward to go even before the trip.
It is often in the Top 3 places to go to if you are looking for those collectors items.
Come to think of it, I’d been to Hong Kong couple of times but this was the 1st time I got to visit this place.
If you guys have followed my stuff, you’ll know I absolutely LOVE toy figurines and have a small collection of them.
So……. No prizes for guessing correctly the place which I’m referring to! *drumroll*

CTMA CENTRE ! ! ! ! !

Address: 1N Sai Yeung Choi Street South, Mongkok
Station: Yau Ma Tei (Exit A2) / Mongkok (Exit E2)
A heaven for figurine collectors…….!
I WANNA CREATE A SPACE IN MY HOME FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS. . .
*building-castles-in-the-sky-in-progress*
Do. Not. Disturb.
There’s an area for some women’s wear too!
When I finally managed to tear myself away from CTMA Centre, I realised my tummy’s orchestra was happily churning out lovely music.
Time for dinner!
Walking along the happening street towards dinner place (which was just a short walk over from CTMA Centre)…
Almost missed this huge ass signboard of our chosen buffet dinner venue.
I’d heard good reviews on Little Sheep Mongolian Hotpot, so here I was!

Address: 16, 16A & 16B Argyle Street, Mongkok Commercial Centre, G/F to 4/F, Shop E, Mongkok
Station: Mongkok (Exit C4)
Hours: Mon-Fri 11am – 12am / Sat-Sun 10am – 12am
Contact: (852) 2396-8816
I don’t usually eat mutton ‘cos there’s always this smell in the meat (I wasn’t exactly a meat lover to begin with).
B U T
I actually wiped out countless thinly-sliced mutton pieces from this hotpot place.
Combined with the soup bases, S O G O O D . . .
I can feel the warmth of the sun that appeared behind me after consuming this delish dish.
(Or maybe it’s the warmth from the Ma La soup base in my tummy.)
After staying for almost 3 hours at Little Sheep, I went back to the hotel with a tummy that grew twice the size.
Couldn’t resist a round at 7-11 before bed-time.
LOOK WHAT I FOUND!!!
Tidbits with my current obsession!!!
N A M E K O . . .
(Recently a friend discovered a shop at Dhoby Ghaut Xchange selling these snacks too!)
Favorite Dreyer’s in a cone!!!
Y SINGAPORE NO HAVE? ? ?
Loot of the day!!! *throws confetti*
Got a whole box with 8 different designs! Couldn’t resist!
Episode 3 of this trip will be out real soon! Stay tuned!!!

.Mad.Season.1.:.Cooking.Series.Ep.8


BIG HELLO EVERYONE!!!
Welcome to the 8th, as well as the last episode of Cooking Series in Mad Season 1!!!
This happens to be the final episode of the whole of Mad Season 1 too!!! *SOBXXX*

Tears aside!!!
Today Ving will be whipping up a healthy meal to mark the end of the season!
First thingy of coz is to go grocery shopping for ingredients!
This time at a wet market instead of supermarket!
Choosing Mushrooms!!
Done! Awaiting the stall holder to pack up and charge for the items!
Ingredients:
Brinjal (Eggplant) / Broccoli / Carrots / Capsicum / Cherry Tomatoes / Corn / Cucumber / Edamame / Golden Mushrooms / Gourd / Hotdogs / Longans / Mozzarella Cheese / Pineapple / Potatoes / Pumpkin / Shitake Mushrooms / Tofu
For today!
We’ll have a soup, a stir-fried vegetable dish, a baked dish, as well as some grilled vegetables.
Let’s prepare all the ingredients first!
Cooking time!!

1. Soup!
— Place all the chopped ingredients (Carrot + Corn + Golden Mushrooms + Gourd + Tofu + Miso Paste) into pot, add water and leave to boil.
— Add some Pepper and Salt for flavoring.

2. Baked Dish!
— Place some chopped ingredients onto a plate layered with Aluminium Foil (Brinjal + Capsicum + Potatoes + Pumpkin + Shitake Mushrooms)
— Add some Mozzarella Cheese on top of the ingredients, then leave to bake in the oven
3. Stir-fry Vegetables!
— Heat up frying pan with some Olive Oil
— Add in the chopped ingredients (Brinjal + Broccoli + Capsicum + Hotdogs + Pineapple + Shitake Mushrooms) and stir-fry
— Add some Multi-purpose Sauce and Black Pepper for flavoring
4. Grilled Vegetables!
— Smear minimal Sea Salt onto the sides of the sliced ingredients (Brinjal + Pumpkin + Shitake Mushroom)
— Heat the non-stick pan with some Olive Oil
— Place the pieces of Vegetables onto the pan and grill till golden brown
Optional side dish: Edamame!
Dessert: Longans!
Time to eat!!! ITTADAKIMASU!!!!
With this, Ving shall conclude the end of Cooking Series, as well as the end of Mad Season 1!!!
I sincerely hope that every one of you had enjoyed all the episodes in the various series for this season!!!
HUGE THANKS for all your support and patronage to this page, and also to Cycliclapse.com!!!

Do await! While we work even harder to bring you more interesting content!!!
TILL NEXT TIME!!! *throws confetti & pops party poppers*

.Mad.Season.1.:.Cooking.Series.Ep.7.


ALOHA!!!
Welcome back, and to the 7th Episode of Cooling Series in Mad Season 1!!!
Have you been whipping up dishes at home recently???

For today!!!
Ving decided to do up a simple Fruit Bowl to beat the heat in our small tropical country.
Ingredients:
Watermelon (whole) / Mixed Fruits Cocktail / Longans
Decor? Optional.
1st Step:
Cut the Watermelon into one-third and two-third sections.

2nd Step:
Dig out all the flesh from the two-third section of the Watermelon.
3rd Step:
Place the Watermelon flesh, Mixed Fruits Cocktail and Longans into the Watermelon Bowl.
TADAH!!!
It’s fun and easy to make!
A dessert which the whole family can enjoy!!

Come next week will be the last episode for each of the 3 series which we have for this Mad Season 1.
How time flies! *sobx*

Do stay tuned to the last episode for Building Series which will be out on coming Monday!!!
Thankssssss!!! *uses watermelon bowl as hat*

.Mad.Season.1.:.Cooking.Series.Ep.6.


BONJOUR!!!
Welcome back, and to the 6th Episode of Cooking Series in Mad Season 1!!!
Have you been doing some home-made dishes lately???

For today!!!
Ving tried out this Blueberry Cheesecake mix from Betty Crocker, which is easily available in all supermarkets.
Additional ingredients you’ll require are simply Milk and Butter, then you’re good to go.
Of coz, you’ll also need to prepare a container for your Cheesecake.
1st Step:
Pour out the biscuit mix for the base of the Cheesecake, and add 90g of Butter in to mix them together evenly.

2nd Step:
Press the biscuit mix in the bottom part of the container to form the base for the Cheesecake.
Then place it in the fridge to be chilled while you carry out the next step.
3rd Step:
Pour out the mix for the top cream part of the Cheesecake, and whisk it evenly with 400ml of Milk.
4th Step:
Retrieve the Cheesecake base from the fridge, and smear on the top cream.
5th Step:
Chill the Cheesecake in the fridge for 2 hours.

6th Step:
When 2 hours are up, take the Cheesecake out from the fridge and spread the Blueberry jam evenly on top of it (provided in the pack).
T A D A H ! ! !
I’ve my assistant, Adios from Tokidoki, with me sampling the easy-to-make Blueberry Cheesecake.
Yummy!!!
Do stay tuned for the 7th Episode of Building Series which will be up on coming Monday!!!
Kindly support us!!! Thankssssss!!! *juggles cheesecake & Adios*

.Mad.Season.1.:.Cooking.Series.Ep5.


BONJOUR!!!
Welcome back, and to the 5th Episode of Cooking Series in Mad Season 1!!!
Have you been cooking lately???

For today!!!
Ving explored the fridge to see what ingredients there were to make up a simple but yummy snack, to ease hunger while hard at work.

Ingredients:
Wrap / Hotdogs / Ham / Eggs / Cabbage / Onions / Butter / Mozzarella Cheese / Salsa Sauce / Multi-purpose Sauce

1st Step:
Cut up the ingredients.
2nd Step:
Pre-heat oven to 180°C, then put in the Wraps for about 3 minutes.

3rd Step:
Start cooking the filling for the Wrap.
1. Heat up the frying pan, then add some Butter in plus Onions.
2. Add Cabbage in, plus some Multi-purpose Sauce.
3. Then add in Ham and Hotdogs, and stir-fry evenly.

4th Step:
Place some of the cooked filling onto the Wrap, then add some shredded Mozzarella Cheese on top.

5th Step:
Put the Wrap into the oven again for another 3 minutes.

6th Step:
SERVE!!! (Sunny sideup optional.)
You can also fold it like a blanket before consuming.
It’s simple and easy to make!
Good for those who are busy and couldn’t spend much time in the kitchen.
Happy making this!!!

Do stay tuned for the 6th Episode of Building Series which will up on coming Monday!!!
Kindly support us!!! Thankssssss!!!!! *rotates wrap on fingertip*

.Mad.Season.1.:.Cooking.Series.Ep.4.


大家好!!!!
Welcome back, and to the 4th Episode of Cooking Series in Mad Season 1!!!!
TGIF!!!!

For today!!!
Dinner being served yesterday was Chinese food whipped up by Ving.

Ingredients!!
Broccoli / Carrot / Corn / Edamame / Golden Mushrooms / Hotdogs / Onions / Potatoes / Rice Cakes / Tofu
Miso Paste / Multi-purpose Sauce / Pepper Grinded (both Black and White) / Two Rabbits Chilli Paste

1st Step:
Prepare ingredients.
2nd Step:
Cook soup.
1  Fill up your pot with X amount of water, depending on how much soup you want.
2. Add in some Miso Paste, stir it for it to dissolve, and leave it to boil.
3. When it’s boiling, add in Carrots, Corn, Onions and Potatoes.
4. Boil them on high fire for about 5-7 minutes, then switch to lower fire.
5. Add in Golden Mushrooms and Tofu, plus both Black and White Grinded Pepper.
6. Leave the soup to simmer till you want to serve
3rd Step:
Heat up 2 small pots of water, then add in Rice Cakes and Edamame into individual pot to boil for awhile (in order to soften them first).

4th Step:
Cook Broccoli dish.
1. Heat up some oil on your frying pan.
2. Add Onions and stir fry.
3. Add Broccoli in, then couple of minutes later add Rice Cakes and continue stir frying.
4. Add in Multi-purpose Sauce and Two Rabbits Chilli Paste, then mix them in evenly. (You can skip the chilli paste if you do not want the dish to be spicy.)
5. Add in Hotdogs and cook for another 2 minutes.
5th Step:
SERVE!!!
It’s rather easy to whip up these 2 simple dishes, so start cooking something today!!!

Kindly support us!!!! Thankssssss!!!! *juggles broccoli*

.Mad.Season.1.:.Cooking.Series.Ep.3.


ANNYOHASAEYO!!!!
Welcome back, and to the 3rd Episode of the Cooking Series in our Mad Season 1!!!
Have you tried out the recipes in the previous episodes???

For today!!!
Ving tried whipping up a Korean-Japanese (2 of my favourite cuisines) fusion dinner.
Here are the ingredients:
Chicken / Korean Rice Cakes / Hotdogs / Straw Mushrooms / Tofu / Kimchi / Edamame / Seaweed / Cabbage / Carrots / Japanese Miso Soup Base / Onions / Oil / Korean Chilli Paste / Tteokbokki Sauce / Multi-purpose Sauce
1st Step:
Thaw the Chicken for Spicy Chicken Stew.
2nd Step:
Prepare the ingredients.
3rd Step:
Start cooking!

For me, I started with the Miso Soup first.
1. Fill up your pot with water (up to you on how much soup you want then fill up accordingly, with bit of excess for evaporation during simmering).
2. Add in Miso Paste (if you prefer it more flavorful, add more).
3. When it started boiling, add in the Tofu cubes.
4. Leave it to simmer while you prepare the Chicken Stew.
5. At in some Seaweed before serving.

4th Step:
Start on Spicy Chicken Stew.
1. Soften the Rice Cakes by placing them in boiling water for couple of minutes, then drain them and put them aside.
2. Pour some oil into pot, then stir fry some Onions.
3. Add Cabbage and Carrots in.
4. Add in Korean Chilli Paste, Tteokbokki Sauce and Multi-purpose Sauce, then mix all evenly.
5. Add in one small packet of Kimchi, then Straw Mushrooms and Hotdogs.
6. Simmer for awhile.
7. Add in the Rice Cakes that had been softened, add well as the diced Chicken meat.
8. Mix all together evenly, then simmer for awhile more.
Serve!!!
Makgeolli (Makkoli) optional!
Verdict:
S. U. C. C. E. S. S.
Do stay tuned for the 4th Episode of Building Series which will be up on coming Monday!!!
Kindly support us!!!! Thankssssss!!!! *juggles tteokbokki*

.Mad.Season.1.:.Cooking.Series.Ep.2.


OHAIYO!!!

Welcome back, and to the 2nd Episode of the Cooking Series in our Mad Season 1!!!
Hope you had fun trying out the stuff in the previous episodes of the various series!!!

For today!!!
It was early rise and shine as Ving attempted in making breakfast!! I decided to try out the pancake mix from Betty Crocker for this meal. 1st Step:
Mix the Pancake Mix with water, according to the proportions given at the back of the box. I added in some chopped bananas too for my pancakes. 2nd Step:
Scoop a portion using a ladle, and pour onto the non-stick pan that’s already smeared with some cooking oil.
Let it sizzles till bubbles form on the pancake, then flip over.
Unknowingly, I created a new invention.
It is called “The Scrambled Pancakes”.

I’ve also prepared some other ingredients to go with the Scrambled Pancakes for a heartier breakfast. And here’s Ving’s style of a hearty breakfast to begin the day with!!
(Yes. I actually attempted the Scrambled Pancakes 4 times, and the 5th time the pancake was made by putting it into the oven.) Verdict:
1st attempt at making the Scrambled Pancakes was actually the best, and it wasn’t even done on purpose.
It still does taste like normal pancakes, just without the ‘standard’ look.
The way to do it was just too scrambled it up when it’s half-cooked and threatening to stick onto your pan.
Give it a couple of flips too in making sure the mixture’s been cooked thoroughly. You can serve with some jam too.
Enjoy!!!!!

Do stay tuned to the 3rd Episode of the Building Series which will be up on coming Monday!!!
Kindly support us!!! Thankssssss!!!! *throws confetti*

.Mad.Season.1.:.Cooking.Series.Ep.1.


HARLOW!!!

Welcome back, and to the 3rd series of our Mad Season 1!!!
As can be guessed from the heading, this 3rd series will be about Cooking!!!
In the different episodes, Ving will try to cook various dishes but without much recipes!
So mostly will be based on gut feel/past experiences/limited knowledge hahaha…….

For today!!!
Ving tried to prepare a western-style dinner of wraps and soup!
Firstly, grocery shopping for ingredients………
Of
 coz this whole lot isn’t just for one meal (I’m stocking up the fridge!!).

Ingredients needed:
Wraps / Mushrooms / Hotdogs / Picnic Ham / Red-skin Potatoes / Corn / Mozzarella Cheese (shredded) / Lettuce / Onions / Milk / Basil / Salsa Sauce / Butter

Optional:
Grapes / Cherry Tomatoes / Sparkling Juice or Wine

1st Step:
Cut up all the ingredients needed. *Chop chop chop*
Here are some other ingredients already cut up for the wrap’s filling, namely Mushrooms / Hotdogs / Picnic Ham.
As well as Corn for Corn-on-the-Cob!
2nd Step:
Cooking potato soup. Place the chopped up Potatoes into a pot, together with half a carton of Milk as well as the Mozzarella Cheese.
(Using Mozzarella Cheese will make the soup have a light cheese taste. If you prefer a stronger cheese taste, you can choose Parmesan Cheese instead.)
3rd Step:
After boiling for awhile, add in some finely chopped Basil leaves to the soup. Leave it to boil slowly while you prepare the wraps.
4th Step:
Pre-heat oven to 180°C for couple of minutes. Place some Mozzarella Cheese on a Wrap, then put it into the oven that has been pre-heated. Heat the Wrap for about 5 minutes.
5th Step:
While the Wrap’s getting heated in the oven, stir-fry the filling for it.
Instead of using cooking oil, I used some Butter for a change.
After the Butter melted, throw the cut Onions into the pot and stir-fry.
Then throw the Mushrooms, Hotdogs and Picnic Ham in and stir-fry all together.
6th Step:
Apply some Butter and Salt all over the Corn, and wrap it up with Aluminium Foil. Heat it in the oven for about 20 minutes.
7th Step:
SERVE ALL!!!
Verdict:
It’s yummy!!! Hahaha…..
The whole process took about 1.5 hour, including preparing the ingredients. It’s actually quite easy to make, so everyone should give this a shot!!!

Do stay tuned for the 2nd Episode of our Building Series on coming Monday!!
Kindly support us!!!! Thankssssss!!!!!!! *throws confetti*