3 failed attempts to hunt down authentic Curry rice, left us motivated with a stubborn desire that, last Saturday morning, was finally rewarded. Our first attempt was for G's past favourite along Beo Crescent. We found the coffeeshop, but the stall, timing sadly misjudged, was closed.
Our second attempt was to locate the famous Tian Tian Hainanese pork chop rice. All the food reviews and blogs stated the address as Blk 116 Bukit Merah View. Thinking it was a no-brainer, we headed down, and to be safe, we also got the timings right this time. So wrong we were! When we got to the prominent coffeeshop at Blk 116, there was indeed a curry rice stall, but it appeared to be a different rice stall. Another hit and miss! Starving, we decided to settle for the Blk 115 hawker center. Unsatisfied by the Char Kway Teow and "Faux" Curry Rice sold, we were determined to find the stall and we headed back to Bukit Merah View on a separate occasion. This time, we made sure we scoured the entire Blk 116.
Turns out, we gave up too easily the last time as there was another coffee shop within Blk 116. In anticipation, we quickened our steps but our excitement turned to despair as it was becoming clearer with each step taken that the coffeshop was under...Renovations!!!
Sigh, the glutton search for true authentic Curry Rice was becoming more bleak with each failed mission. Then, one uneventful Saturday morning when we were both lazing and wondering where to head for brunch, we thought to give our fruitless Curry Rice Hunt another try. Armed with our Makansutra and Street Directory, we were determined not to fail this time. As we pulled up along the buzzling Tiong Bahru market, it felt like another miss. We passed a coffeeshop that looked deserted and it was mostly clothes shops around the location. Just as we were despondently making alternative plans to have char siew rice at the market, we spotted another coffeeshop at the corner of the block and the sight beheld, was welcoming:
Turns out, we gave up too easily the last time as there was another coffee shop within Blk 116. In anticipation, we quickened our steps but our excitement turned to despair as it was becoming clearer with each step taken that the coffeshop was under...Renovations!!!
Sigh, the glutton search for true authentic Curry Rice was becoming more bleak with each failed mission. Then, one uneventful Saturday morning when we were both lazing and wondering where to head for brunch, we thought to give our fruitless Curry Rice Hunt another try. Armed with our Makansutra and Street Directory, we were determined not to fail this time. As we pulled up along the buzzling Tiong Bahru market, it felt like another miss. We passed a coffeeshop that looked deserted and it was mostly clothes shops around the location. Just as we were despondently making alternative plans to have char siew rice at the market, we spotted another coffeeshop at the corner of the block and the sight beheld, was welcoming:
The makansutra mark of excellence! A queue! We must had arrived! We have finally hunted and successfully found authentic Hainanese Curry Rice!
Unlike most dime-a-dozen curry rice stalls, the true authentic Hainanese Curry rice mixes at least 2 or 3 types of curry to drench over the fragrant plate of rice. The dishes are simple and very traditional. I left G to order while I tried to secure a table away from the warming late morning sun.
A good ten minutes later, our dishes were delivered. Pork Chop, Curry squid, Vegetable, Fried egg and Braised pork belly, and of course, not forgetting the rich curry gravy lavishly poured over our servings of rice - all the makings of a traditional authentic Hainanese Curry Rice meal.
The best part, everything came up to only $10.
Was it worth it? Abso-mostly. Ashamed to say this, but as a Hainanese, I would say this is probably the first time I have tried authentic curry rice. The curry is 100% better then any I have ever tasted. Rich, fragrant, tasty and soo comforting. The pork chop, the egg and the pork belly brought back memories of food from my childhood days. So much, I had the sudden pang of regret and missings of my Grandfather. How much he would have enjoyed a meal like this!
3rd time's the charm. We are rejuvenated, and probably re-inspired to face our challenge and continue on our quest for good Hainanese Curry Rice.
A good ten minutes later, our dishes were delivered. Pork Chop, Curry squid, Vegetable, Fried egg and Braised pork belly, and of course, not forgetting the rich curry gravy lavishly poured over our servings of rice - all the makings of a traditional authentic Hainanese Curry Rice meal.
The best part, everything came up to only $10.
Was it worth it? Abso-mostly. Ashamed to say this, but as a Hainanese, I would say this is probably the first time I have tried authentic curry rice. The curry is 100% better then any I have ever tasted. Rich, fragrant, tasty and soo comforting. The pork chop, the egg and the pork belly brought back memories of food from my childhood days. So much, I had the sudden pang of regret and missings of my Grandfather. How much he would have enjoyed a meal like this!
3rd time's the charm. We are rejuvenated, and probably re-inspired to face our challenge and continue on our quest for good Hainanese Curry Rice.
It feels good to reconnect with one's roots.
Loos Hainanese Curry Rice
Tai Kwang Huat Coffee Shop
Blk 57 Eng Hoot Street
Open: 8am to 2pm Daily, Closed Alternate Thurs
No comments:
Post a Comment