Hawker's Wok, Patrons Talk

AJISEN RAMEN

2008-10-06T17:52:00.003+08:00

Ajisen Ramen. A relatively large food chain specializing in Japanese Ramen in Singapore.

A filling dish filled with what else but Ramen.

A few disappointing factors came up, in comparison to my last few visits there.
A friend and I happened to drop by Ajisen Ramen @ Junction 8 Bishan. Being around lunch hour, it was a suprise that the outlet was relatively empty. I suppose the first thing that got to me first was that the tables were arranged in a way that made it feel so squeezy. About a 20cm gap between each set of tables. If that is the way they were going about saving space, it is no wonder the crowds were so dwindeld during Peak Period on a Saturday.

The 2nd Point was a mother and daughter were seated at a table two sets away from us. Being a young child the girl spilled ice lemon tea. With all the waiters and waitresses walking around, it was suprising that no one offered to help or to even bring a towel. They only got to getting a towel when the customer asked for it. Even then, no one offered to give a change of location or chair.

The 3rd point was after the customer @ the table had left. No one bothered to wipe the chair dry or to change chairs or to even put a sign. Even after the previous customer had so kindly reminded a waiter that the chair was wet. This leading to the next customer not being able to get the table, and having to squeeze in a table right next to us.

Perhaps the Ajisen Ramen Branch at Bishan might want to re-organise their staff and the way things are done.

the score:

5/10

The One Fly Syndrome

2008-09-27T23:50:00.003+08:00

Okaay. So during the last 2 days, i did'nt manage to get a feel of the service at Mcdonalds just yet. But i ate at Burger King Yishun GV.

My deduction?

7/10

the reasons for giving such a grade?

SIMPLE!

1 minus pt: she only filled my cup of coke to 14/16 of the cup. bad point
the one that minused the most?: when i made the wrong order and asked her to change after shehad it keyed in, she complained to the manager "BU SHI WO! SHI TA MEN LA!" (ITS NOT ME! ITS THEM LA!) not to mention the manager did'nt even say anything... hmmm..

thats all the news i have for today...

OH! and about the One Fly Syndrome on my title?
its actually talking abt how im going to grade the food from now on. One Fly is not too bad. 6 flies would mean deathly disaster. i would try to update all my previous posts in flies ASAP.

CHEW ON!

The Worst "Fast Food" Service?

2008-09-25T23:17:00.003+08:00

It will be added to the Worst "Fast Food" Service schedule to check out long john silvers and KFC. The top two 'winners' of the worst service poll...
However, even as Mos Burger had two pathetic votes, it has been said that the Novena Branch houses one monsterous individual; a little miss grumpy . Which is why it has been given the honour on my list as the first destination of the acclaimed bad service tour. (which would start next week)

As for the runner ups? i'll be taking my time to explore the various fast food outlets. However, as there are numerous outlets around Singapore, it would be very much easier if any of you could send in your complaints on the bad service hovering around the different fast food outlets. Just write in to hard.to.chew@hotmail.com. Include ur thoughts and comments. We'd love to hear from you!

First on my list, would be Mcdonalds. (tomorrow) Two outlets i would be spending time at would be Yishun's Northpoint and Bugis Junction. Although it is true that Mcdonald's Service is still pretty much top class for a fast food restaurant, i suppose it would'nt hurt to just check it out =). Though i probably can't guarantee that it would end up on this blog.

chew on

the world of char siew noodles

2008-09-23T20:20:00.005+08:00

over the span of two days, i had the delight of experiencing two absolutely different worlds of char siew mee.

first let me start with the disappointing pieces of un-charsiewish well.. char siew.
Parklane Yun Tun noodle house along Joo Chiat Rd( diagonally opp. Katong Mall) . i chanced upon their specialty by pure accident. i walked in, w/o looking at the shop banner and just ordered a simple plate of Yun Tun Mian.(something like char siew noodles) . The seemingly promising dish turned out to be an utter throat disturbing experience.

3 pieces of fried wan ton.. with miniscule portions of meat. And... Char Siew that tastes familiarly like Ba Kwa. Well.. if this whole particular combination was supposed to taste good, then i guess they've only just scraped through. The only redeeming point is that the staff are pretty friendly. Although i've not been able to try their other dishes, if this is their specialty, i dread to try the rest.

Well.. i would'nt let this particular shop's dish tarnish the reputation of others. There is a great homemade noodle yun tun mian place still around Katong, Joo Chiat area. But today, i had the opportunity to try a plate of wan ton noodles further up along Joo Chiat Rd.

the outlet's outside

i'd have to agree on the specialist part

A yet again simple dish for S$3.00

the 'char siew' are all lined with thin visible fats. the 'in a good way' kinda fats. Unless u're on a diet. The pieces of succulent meat leaves u yearning for more. Although too much of it, does'nt really encourage ur taste buds. AND... the wan tons actually have meat!

my serving of down- to- earth wan ton noodle

Kay Hua also serves a variety of other dishes.
Like Pork Trotters, Chicken Rice, etc...

pork trotters

a two persons dish served with pork stomach soup for S$12

Cheap and Light

2008-09-20T01:11:00.006+08:00

CHEAPER, CHEAPER! HEAR ALL ABOUT IT!

Looking for food thats not too expensive? Especially with prices of food even at coffee shops ranging from no less than $3, it is suprisingly delightful to be able to get hold of food below that high price. And no, im not talking about Chicken Rice. Along Tiong Bahru.. Lies Tiong Bahru Market. If you're looking for good, not as pricey food, this is the place to go.

Introducing, what i had for a hearty dinner.

Hawker Centre Yong Tau Foo. A well stock of ingredients to choose from. As well as a favourable price. Going at 7 pieces for S$2.10. Not to mention, my 9 piece + noodle meal cost a mere $3.20. At most food courts, a min. of 7 pieces would cost S$3.50 to S$4. Of course, this being at a hawker centre, would naturally be cheaper. But looking at the range of ingredients, and the excellent soup stock, i'd say its worth all its S$2.10.

the shop with the yellow banner =) @ Tiong Bahru Market

the 7 pieces w/o noodles going at S$2.10

9 pieces w noodles @ S$3.20

Following, Char Siew Rice for S$2.50. Convinced yet? The absolute cheap and good char siew rice. Recommendation from my dad. The chilli is absolutely fantastic, and the rice is not too dry; as some char siew rice dishes tend to be.

char siew rice @ S$2.50

@ Tiong Bahru Market , Tiong Bahru Lee Hong Kee Cantonese Roasted #02-60

did i forget to mention? the stall right beside the above stall serves fresh 'ou luah' oyster =) @ S$2.00

SOTONG turned RUBBER BAND

2008-09-18T22:57:00.006+08:00

what was left of the meal.. the only reason for finishing it was the fact that i was hungry.

THE RUBBERYest GRILLED SOTONG EVER!

Just yesterday at Novena Velocity Foodcourt Kopitiam, i was absolutely convinced that i had been served the worse ever sotong.

Here's the thing, the order was Grilled Sotong Rice.

What i got, was a stiff, hard few miniscule pieces of sqirlies heated for a while and dunked into salty, sweet sauce. Put together with green(probably pandan) rice and a cold small triangular piece of egg. The only warm part of the dish, was the soup.

Okay. Maybe its the fact that i look every bit a 17 year old. But HEY! what on earth is that? That dish totally spoilt my appitite. And i was actually hungry, so i had no choice but to eat the whole dish.

Moreover. Dish PRICE? $5.50 i honestly felt it was not worth the money.
Maybe if i get someone else to order it, it may come out different.

Welcome To "Hard To Chew"

2008-09-18T12:43:00.000+08:00

Hi. Welcome to "hard to chew" =). As you may know, Singapore is full of GOOD food! And as a Singaporean, our number one favorite pastime is to EAT! However, there are some things that Chefs, or staff in restaurants and hawker centres do that make our food just so "Hard to Chew". Whether it be bad food, or terrible service we would like to know!

As you may have already guessed, "Hard to Chew" is going to be about food in Singapore thats well... hard to chew! So send in all the hard to chew places that you think should be on our list of "Hard to Chew". Including your actual name, and the address or place that the shop is located. Also include your thoughts and comment on the food. After that, we will go check it out. If we agree with you, your food might just make it into the list of "Hard To Chew" foods.

*note: all names will be kept confidential. Include a pen name that you would want used on the page.

email us at : hard.to.chew@hotmail.com

CHEW ON IT,
the hard to chew team :)