Hougang

Al Falah Restaurant
Our go to place every time our prata craving kicks in, Al Falah Restaurant in Hougang is the first to cross our minds if we want something near home. The 24 hours coffeeshop stall is a popular venue for supper goers, including ours. The ‘Kosong’ or plain prata is amazing, crispy on the outside and delicious just on its own. That said, the accompanying fish curry is sedap as well. It may not be as famous as other prata options like Mr and Mrs Mohgan’s Super Crispy Roti Prata, but still a gem regardless. Where: 681 Hougang Avenue 8, #01-855, Singapore 530681

Sin Heng Kee Porridge
We have always been a fan of Sin Heng Kee Porridge in Hougang Street 61, which also has another outlet in Yishun. The nondescript eatery is located at a void deck, which often sees a long queue be it mornings or evenings. There are more than twenty types of porridge combinations to choose from, with prices ranging from S$4 onwards. On to the porridge, it is easily one of the best ones we had in Singapore. The texture is soft, and the overall flavour is very tasty instead of the usual bland taste we tried elsewhere. Do add an egg or the fried dough or “You Tiao” to it, it will taste even better.  [Read more here…] Where: Blk 685 Hougang Street 61, Singapore 530685

Curry & Curry
The casual zi char eatery located in Kovan is famous for its fish head curry. The menu is decent. It is not the most diverse zi char menu but I still spot the basics like a wide variety of vegetables, different types of fried egg and prawn paste chicken. The must order dish is the Curry Red Snapper Fish, one of its signatures. There is also a steamed version but I would highly recommend the curry version. [Read more here…]
Where: 203 Hougang Street 21, #01-45, Singapore 530202

888 Mookata
Opened by long-time Mediacorp artistes Chor Chow Meng and Dennis Chew, this Thai Mookata is very popular even though it is part of a stall within a coffeeshop in Kovan. You get to choose from the two available sets for 2 and 4 pax, at a very affordable price of S$26 and S$45. You can add more to your meal here by selecting from the a la carte menu, with prices starting from S$1.80. There are some specialised platters, including the Meat Platter (S$10.80) and Mushroom Platter (S$6.80). [Read more here…]
Where: Blk 212 Hougang Street 21, Singapore 530212

To-Ricos Kway Chap 多丽哥粿汁
The offspring of the famous Old Airport Road Food Centre branch, To-Ricos Kway Chap at Ci Yuan Hawker Centre is run by the same family. We like that the portions are really generous, with the below portions for two at less than S$10. The Kway Chap itself is hearty, while the side dishes are appetising on its own. This is worth trying if you are clueless about what to have in this modern hawker centre.
Where: 51 Hougang Avenue 9, #01-30 Ci Yuan Hawker Centre, Singapore 538776

Arnold’s Fried Chicken
This halal fried chicken specialist opened its first outlet at City Plaza some three decades ago, and has since found its strong following for this rather understated yet juicy and seriously finger licking good chicken. If you are planning some massive orders for your house party, Arnold’s is on some of the food delivery options too.
Where: 21 Hougang Street 51, Hougang Green Shopping Mall #01-49, Singapore, 538719

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Seng Kang

Big Prawn Noodle 大虾面
With various outlets in Singapore, this stall located in a small coffeeshop about 10-15 minutes walk from Sengkang MRT station is fast gaining popularity amongst the residents. The Big Prawn Noodle Dry version didn’t disappoint. The noodles are tossed with a tinge of chilli sauce, and the overall flavour is quite intense and delicious. Fresh prawns here, served along with a robust serving of luscious soup. [Read more here…]
Where: P12 Food Paradise, 205D Compassvale Lane, Singapore 544205

Armenian Street Char Kway Teow
Fans of Char Kway Teow are likely to be acquainted with Armenian Street Char Kway Teow, which are run by two brothers in Sin Ming Road and Sengkang. The Sengkang branch is located within a HDB coffeeshop. While we wished there was more wok-hei in the flavours, this is probably one of the most decent option to satisfy your Char Kway Teow craving in the North-East.Where: Blk 303 Anchorvale Link, Singapore 541303

Zhen Da Ji Hongkong Street
Looking for a good Zi Char in Sengkang? That is one of our constant struggles but glad we found a pretty decent option in Rivervale Crescent. Zhen Da Ji Hongkong Street is located in a small coffeeshop, famous for its Salted Fish White Bee Hoon, which has a moist texture and good wok-hei. The other dishes we tried like Prawn Paste Chicken and Crispy Noodle (“Sheng Mian”) are equally good as well. Where: 182A Rivervale Crescent, Singapore 541182

Paradise Hotpot
As the only outlet in Singapore currently, Paradise Hotpot is Paradise Group’s answer to the hugely popular Beauty in the Pot, expect that this concept is based on individual hotpot instead of a communal one. The hotpot options are aplenty and quality is very decent, except that you are recommended to reserve well ahead on weekends. [Read more here…]Where: 1 Sengkang Square, #03-05 Compass One, Singapore 545078

Pin Wei Fang Zi Char
Located in Sengkang Square, this is quite a decent ‘Zi Char’ option near Sengkang MRT. We were drawn to the KL style Hokkien Mee, a satisfying plate of ‘wok-hei’ filled noodles. You can expect the usual ‘Zi Char’ dishes like prawn paste chicken, hot plate tofu and seafood. Prices are fairly reasonable too.
Where: 10 Sengkang Square, Singapore 544829

Chicken Up
If you are fan of Korean food, Chicken Up Korean Restaurant should be a familiar name. The space at Buangkok is not huge, but the setting is quite a cosy one with its orange lighting and wooden furnishings. If you have a small group of diners, go for the UFO Snow Squid Topokki, a huge stew which comprise of soft rice cake and fish cake with a spicy chilli paste sauce called gochujang topped with deep fried squid. We also like the crispy Soya (ganjang) Wings. [Read more here…]
Where: 277C Compassvale Link, #01-13 (Unit 2A), Singapore 543277

Sushi Express
There are not many Japanese dining options in Sengkang and Punggol. If you are looking for something more affordable, Sushi Express is a popular choice in Seletar Mall with an incessant queue every time we are in the mall. The conveyor belt concept hails from Taiwan, and has many outlets in Singapore. Prices are around S$2 per plate, where you get to choose from sashimi, sushi, nigiri and side dishes. Quality is not the best, but should suffice if you are desperate to satisfy your Japanese food craving. Where: 33 Sengkang West Ave, 02-K4/K5, Singapore 797653

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Punggol

Whisk & Paddle
Possibly the only decent cafe in Punggol right now, t is not difficult to see why Whisk & Paddle is so packed on weekends other than the fact that it is pretty much a monopoly. The spacious setting of the cafe is perfect for families with kids or large group gatherings. Even though there is no air-conditioning, the lush surroundings of the park as well as a river view make up for it. The brunch menu is popular, with reasonable prices such as Eggs Benedict at S$13.
Where: 10 Tebing Lane, Singapore 828836

Boon Chiang Hainanese Chicken Rice
If you are a fan of chicken rice, this stall from a food court in Punggol Central is worth trying. We love how tender the chicken meat is, along with the fragrant rice which wasn’t too greasy for us.  Where: 303B Punggol Central Singapore 822303 Punggol Central, Singapore 822303

Big Fish Small Fish
Perhaps the most satisfying concept at the popular “container” blocks along the Punggol Park Connector, Big Fish Small Fish makes Fish & Chips and you can customise your dinner with your choice of fish and sides. Head over to the neighbouring container blocks to have a beer while looking out at the Punggol Serangoon Reservoir, perfect to unwind from the stressful day at work. [Read more here…]
Where: 50 Punggol East, #01-K35, Singapore 828826

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Ranted by the Ranter and Rantee