Taiwanese bowl cakes 碗粿 and meatballs 肉圆 in Singapore?

NTDTV program: Taiwan snacks  - bowl cakes and meatballs
【经典天下】台湾小吃米食篇 - 碗粿与肉圆

(Visit http://www.ntdtv.com/xtr/gb/2012/10/25/a785828.html)

Where to find Taiwanese bowl cakes 碗粿 and meatballs 肉圆 in Singapore? Visit Shin Yeh 欣葉!

Good Taiwanese Street Chow in a Restaurant

 by Sheere Ng @ Makansutra 

(Soure: http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/news/good-taiwanese-street-chow-restaurant-042155142.html)

Crispy fried chicken, oyster mee sua, and Taiwanese sausage have been popular in Singapore for years, but decent versions of these Taiwanese street food are few and far between.

At pasar malams (night market), snack bars, hawkers or restaurants that tout this foreign street fare, the crispy chicken is coated with a ridiculously thick and half-heartedly crispy batter skin; the oysters was sickly even before their unfortunate demise and then dunked it a mee sua soup that is at best a desperate blend of water and oyster sauce; and the sausage tasted waxy and oily.

Now there is an honest interpretation of these authentic street chow in town. The catch is, although it comes very close to Taiwan street stall quality, it does not come close to those street prices.

In early October, Shin Yeh, a restaurant that touts Taiwanese cuisine, added street food to their menu. It includes the above mentioned dishes, to the lower profile snacks that only Taiwanese (and fans of Taiwanese TV programmes) would know.

Makansutra tasted them during a media tasting – they were, of course, decent. But it was at another trip back there, incognito, that we base this review on.

Zhang Hua Meatballs

Zhang Hua is a northern city in Taiwan. It was said that about 180 years ago, the city was hit by a massive flood that resulted in food shortages. The survivors gathered sweet potato and created dishes out of them. One of which is the Zhang Hua Meatballs. The translucent sweet potato flour skin that wrapped around the marinated meat was thick but soft, chewy and not sticky. It came with a sweet, tangy and garlicky sauce that would have been a greater complement if they had given more.

Oyster Omelette

Taiwanese oyster omelette, unlike our local Teochew version, is done moist and slathered with a layer of “hai san jiang”, literally translated as “ocean’s three sauces”. This sauce is sweet, tangy and slightly spicy. While Shin Yeh’s version didn’t sting as much as we would liked, it came with a layer of omelette over another layer of chewy fried potato starch and topped with the sauce. A nice mix of textures and flavour. The oysters atop were big, fresh and briny.

Crisp-fried Chicken

One of the best versions we’ve had in Singapore. The fried floured skin was thin, light and crispy while the meat was juicy. It came with a salt and pepper dip on the side.

Tai Nan Wah Kueh (Bowl-shaped rice cake)

Rare in Singapore but widely popular in Taiwan. Grounded rice and water mixture was steamed in a small rice bowl and then topped with soy sauce, meat, egg and stock. Instead of using ready-made flour, the Shin Yeh folks blended their own rice to produce soft, dense but cottony rice cakes.

Taiwanese Sausage

We’ve all had, or are familiar with fried or grilled Taiwanese sausage at pasar malams and at home parties by now. But have you tried the steamed version? With the absence of oil (from deep-fry) and smokiness (from grilling), the taste of the meat and five-spice powder stood out clearly. A manager there said Taiwanese sausage, compared to the Cantonese lap cheong, is sun dried for a shorter period, hence, the meat and contents are juicier.

Mr Ricky Ng, chief operating officer of Tunglok Group, the organisation behind the restaurant, said that they hope to attract younger people with the new menu items. While these dishes are sold at restaurant prices, they are reasonable, comparable to the mid-range restaurant’s dim sum prices – Zhang Hua Meatballs costs $4.80, Crisp-fried Chicken at $6 and bowl cake at $4.80 (before tax and service charge).

If the yearn is there but not the time nor will to travel to the Shilin Night Market in Taipeh, this can be a good temporary fix here.

An Introduction to Shin Yeh 欣葉

Expanding from a shop in Taipei’s back alley to the business districts, and then from Taipei to Beijing and Singapore, Shin Yeh, deeply rooted in Taiwanese cuisine, has inherited generations of traditions. Nurturing insistence, innovation and inclusiveness, Shin Yeh has evolved into a unique and international gourmet brand.

Company Mission: Preserving the Taste of Taiwan

On their 20th anniversary, Shin Yeh published two cookbooks “Authentic Taiwanese Cuisine” and “The Best Selection of Taiwanese Cuisine” to provide a historical overview of the innovation and development of their many dishes. On their 30th anniversary, ShinYeh published their third cookbook “Heart and Soul - Taiwanese Cuisine from the Shin Yeh restaurants”, and it was promptly awarded “Best Cookbook in the World” at the renowned Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2007.

The MENU
SHIN YEH TAIWAN STREET SNACK
FROM 1 – 10 OCTOBER 2012, ENJOY THEM AT A SPECIAL WEEKDAY PRICING OF ONLY $4

(1) 大鼎肉羹湯 $5.80
Pork and Golden Needle Petals Broth (per person)
(2) 章化肉圓 $4.80
"Zhang Hua" Meatballs （Limited to 20 servings a day）
(3) 士林蚵仔煎 $6.80
"Shih Lin" Pan-fried Oyster Omelette
(4) 盐酥雞 $6.00
Crispy-fried Chicken served with Dip
(5) 麻辣豆腐 $4.80
Fried Beancurd and Minced Pork with Mapo Spicy Sauce
(6) 台灣香腸 $4.20
Taiwan Homemade Sausage
(7) 台南碗粿 $4.80
"Tai Nan" Rice Cake (Limited to 20 servings a day)
(8) 府城刈包(二件)  $4.80
Steamed Bun filled with Lean Pork and Pickled Vegetables (2 Pieces)
(9) 蚵仔麵線 $5.80
Taiwan-style Braised Oyster “Mee Sua”
(10) 滷肉飯 $4.80
Taiwan-style Rice with Soya Sauce Lean Pork

Shin Yeh Restaurant is located at

177 River Valley Road 

Liang Court Shopping Centre, #02-19 

Singapore 179030

Tel: 6338 7337

From - http://www.shinyeh.com.sg

While enjoying your Taiwanese bowl cakes 碗粿 and meatballs 肉圆 , and please take a look at the beautiful painting below! ^o^

Below is Painting By Falun Gong Practitioners 法轮功学员的绘画....

Do you know the Truth About Falun Gong? - http://thetruthaboutfalungong.blogspot.com

(Painting from - http://minhgui.org)

Falun Dafa is Good!

Falun Gong teaches Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance! And it is embraced in 114 nations! 

Pls do not believe the Chinese Communist Party's lies. 

请了解法轮功和中共残酷迫害法轮功的真相。法轮大法（法轮功）好，114个国家都热爱她，请不要被中共的谎言欺骗。

（http://thetruthaboutfalungong.blogspot.com）

Jamie Oliver brings his Jamie's Italian Restaurant to Singapore!

British television chef Jamie Oliver poses with his cookbook "Jamie's Amerika." With the opening of his Singapore restaurant next year, conquering Asia could be his next mission.
Source - http://www.cnngo.com/singapore/eat/jamie-oliver-readies-asian-invasion-979026

Just when you thought Singapore's celebrity chef scene had reached saturation point, along comes word that British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver MBE will be opening a restaurant in the city-state next year. 

Jamie's Italian, one of several restaurant brands owned by the 37-year-old British TV star famed for waging war on unhealthy eating, will start serving diners at Singapore's VivoCity -- a lifestyle/retail complex across from Sentosa Island -- in the summer of 2013. 

"I can't tell you how excited I am to be opening a restaurant in VivoCity," said Oliver, whose net worth has been estimated to be around US$235 million. "It's such a fantastic location and I'm delighted to be able to bring Jamie's Italian experience to the wonderful people of Singapore." 

Singapore will be the restaurant chain's fifth international opening. In addition to 30 locations in Britain, Jamie's Italian has outlets in Dubai, Dublin, Perth and Sydney.

Though Oliver is one of several celebrity chefs making the move into Singapore in recent years, he's arguably the most famous of the lot in terms of public recognition.

Other high-profile chefs who have opened restaurants in the Lion City include Wolfgang Puck, Joël Robuchon and Mario Batali.  

Jamie's Italian, 1 HarbourFront Walk, #01-165/166/167 VivoCity, Singapore

Get a glimpse of the menu at Jamie's Italian below! I wonder about the price......

http://www.jamieoliver.com/italian/singapore/home

 Opening in VivoCity during the SUMMER of 2013!!

Jamie's Italian recruiting NOW for Senior Management positions in Singapore, so if you're motivated and passionate about food we'd love to hear from you. Please click HERE for more information on our current vacancies.

ADDRESS
Jamie's Italian
1 HarbourFront Walk,
Level 1 VivoCity,
Singapore 098585

LOCATION AND TRANSPORT

By Car:

VivoCity is only a 5-minute drive from the CBD and a mere 10-minutes from Orchard Road with more than 2000 car park spaces.

Nearest MRT:

HarbourFront Station via the North East Line or Circle Line 

Bus Services: 10, 30, 30e, 57, 61, 65, 80, 97, 97e,
100, 131, 143, 145, 166, 855 

Can't wait to visit Jamie's Italian Restaurant next year! 

While being excited over this news, let's listen to Hip-Hop music by Rise-Ascend Direction 'Behind The Wall'. 

This song is about the brutal persecution of Falun Gong in China. What is Falun Gong? - visit http://thetruthaboutfalungong.blogspot.com

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkdKbQUIw9E&feature=share&list=PL8CF24426C2D52354)


Lyrics “Behind The Wall”

The Wall
Great Wall
The Wall
Great Wall
Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey
Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey

Chorus:
Did you hear what’s hidden behind the wall
The wall
The wall
So much is hidden behind the wall
The wall
The Great Wall
Horrible killings behind the wall

VERSE:
Over 3 thousands lives
The red evil regime’s
Murders they try to hide
Daughters, mothers and wives
Sons, fathers and husbands
They kill them and sell their organs like it is nothing
Millions maybe billions have been deceived
Turning a blind eye
Fear, money and greed
A feeling something is wrong
Another day is too long
For this to go on
Persecution of Falun Gong behind the wall

Chorus:
The wall
The wall
So much is hidden behind the wall
The wall
Great Wall
Did you hear what’s hidden behind the wall
The wall
The Wall
So much is hidden behind the wall
The wall
Great wall
Horrible killings behind the wall

VERSE:
Over 3 thousands lives
The red evil regime’s
Murders they try to hide
Daughters, mothers and wives
Sons, fathers and husbands
They kill them and sell their organs like it is nothing
Millions maybe billions have been deceived
Turning a blind eye
Fear, money and greed
A feeling something is wrong
Another day is too long
For this to go on
Persecution of Falun Gong behind the wall

Chorus:
The wall
The wall
So much is hidden behind the wall
The wall
Great Wall
Did you hear what’s hidden behind the wall
The wall
The Wall
So much is hidden behind the wall
The wall
Great wall
Horrible killings behind the wall

Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey
Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey
Horrible killings behind the wall
Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey
Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey
Horrible killings behind the wall

From - musictostopthepersecution.org

Singapore's 5 best breakfast sets

From kaya toast to curry puffs, CNNGo reader Balli Kaur details her favorite Singaporean day-starters

By Balli Kaur 18 November, 2009

Source - http://www.cnngo.com/singapore/none/5-best-singapore-breakfast-sets-868266

1. Curry puffs and “teh”

Curry puffs -- ranging from potato to fish.

Puff pastries aren’t unique to Singapore, but when you sink your teeth into a curry puff, you’ll consider it a new culinary experience.

Stuffings are spicy and flavorful, and represent a range of choices from plain potato to curried sardine.

Curry puffs go well with tea with milk and sugar -- or “teh.” A knowledge of codes for different kinds of teh is essential if you don’t want to stand out. Teh-o means “tea with sugar but no milk.” Teh-C is tea with evaporated milk. Arguably the most popular order is teh tarik - tea which is prepared by being tossed from one cup to another, creating a thick froth.

2. Fresh squeezed juice and yam/pumpkin cake

You can choose from a variety of fruits to begin your early morning detox routine. Follow it up with something filling but not sinful -- steamed yams and pumpkins go very well with an ABC (apple, beetroot and carrot juice).

For those with bigger appetite, fried carrot cake does not disappoint. Wash it down with a watermelon or pineapple juice to start off your day with a balance of savory and sweet.

3. Roti prata and a Milo dinosaur

The mound of Milo on the Milo dinsosaur.

If you wake up with a big appetite, a savory crispy pancake dipped in fish or mutton curry will cure those hunger pangs. Be warned: this meal will go straight from the griddle to your thighs so plan to do some walking tours to burn off those calories.

The accompanying Milo Dinosaur (pictured) will provide a boost of energy for your workout. It is an iced variation of the powdered chocolate malted drink topped with more malt powder.

4. Economy rice/noodles

Economy rice is so cheap that its title doesn’t try to impress you with gimmicks or elusive references (see Milo dinosaur above). In times of budget cutbacks, it’s comforting to know you can order a plate of rice and choose additional meat and vegetable dishes for under $3.

Economy bee hoon is a breakfast favorite in Singapore. A drink will cost you extra. It’s best to “ta pau” (pack and carry) a water bottle from home.

5. Kaya toast and half-boiled egg

Toast and half-boiled, water eggs. Bring it on.

You’ve surely had toast and eggs before but this is Singapore’s take on a familiar breakfast set. Kaya, a creamy coconut jam, is a very common spread in Singapore households and coffee shops alike.

The sweet toast can be eaten on its own but we recommend you try dipping it in a bowl of watery, half-boiled eggs mixed with soy sauce. Doesn’t seem so familiar now does it?

If you’re hesitant about trying something so new in a hawker centre, or if the sweltering head is getting to you, head to a mall look for the nearest Toastbox or Ya Kun Kaya Toast. These cafes create a mood reminiscent of Singapore’s olden days with wooden tables and gunny sacks.

While enjoying your breakfast, let's watch the video below to understand a serious topic -

Dr. Damon Noto's Speech on Forced Organ Harvesting in China (At US Congress) 直击美众议院听证会 曝光中共惊人罪行

(http://youtu.be/vKDktoQgPzM)

How to be a Singapore local: 10 ways to fake it

Don't leave home without a pack of tissues and learn how to talk properly, "lah"

By Charlene Fang 24 September, 2012

Source - http://www.cnngo.com/be-singapore-local-10-ways-fake-it

You probably know it as “Disneyland with the Death Penalty” (thank you, William Gibson), but few can deny Singapore is one fine city. 

As in, the fines still exist, the Merlion remains cheesy and the city is just as disconcertingly clean and green as ever.

But fitting in with the locals isn't as easy as one might think. 

Whether you’re stopping over on a visit or moving here full-time, these 10 tips will help you get with the Singapore vibe faster than you can say “can, lah!”

1. How to get a seat at a hawker center

Hawker center tables don't stay empty for long. Stake your claim with a packet of tissues. Or an iPhone.Don't ever leave home without a packet of tissues. Not only will you use the tissues to mop the sweat off your brow, but you'll need it to "chope" (translation: reserve) a table at a hawker center.

It's an unspoken but understood indicator of an already occupied table. Under no circumstances should you remove a packet of tissue paper placed at an empty hawker center table and sit down.

Also, if you see an iPhone being employed in a similar manner, the owner merely forgot to bring his/her tissue packet and this is the next best thing. Again, do not assume it’s free for the taking.

If you’re getting desperate, zero in on a table of diners and hover. The closer you stand to them, the faster they will slurp down their noodles and vacate their seats. Score!

2. How to drive

Just two things to remember when hitting the mean streets of Singapore. Horn: good. Signal light: bad.Cars are exorbitantly expensive in Singapore -- it costs at least S$63,000 (US$51,400) just to be allowed to buy one, never mind the actual purchase price -- so you'd think people who own them would drive carefully.

They don't.

Switching lanes in Singapore is best done in this manner: speed up, slowly drift across, and flip the indicator only at the very last moment before cutting in.

Signaling any earlier will let drivers behind know you want to get in front of them, so they'll speed up to close any possible gaps.

Horns are used liberally. Not to warn others about impending danger but to shame them for bad driving or not moving through a parking gantry quickly enough.

3. How to speak

When in doubt, consult your trusty Singlish Dictionary. Or just slap "lah" onto the end of every sentence.English may be the official language but Singlish is Singapore’s master tongue.

A colloquial form of English spiced with half-a-dozen or more other languages, locals sprinkle their speech with seemingly random Singlish words such as: siao (crazy), meh (to express surprise) and oi (to get someone’s attention).

When in doubt, consult The Coxford Singlish Dictionary for a full glossary. But if it all proves too baffling, focus on mastering the use of "lah."

Just as Australians employ "mate" and the English "innit," "lah" is often used at the end of a sentence in place of and/or together with a full stop, question mark or an exclamation mark.

Useful sentences include: “Today is very hot, lah!” “Can you tell me where the closest MRT station is, lah?” “I swear I’m not married, lah.”

4. How to dance 

Dear, sweet Belinda. You'll always be a star in Singapore.Singapore’s highly controlled public image spills over to its residents' preferences for mass forms of organized dance.

While elders pull on chaps, don a cowboy hat and break out into public line dancing exhibitions, youngsters prefer cheesy dance routines performed to late 1980s and early 1990s tunes complete with literal hand movements.

Popular tunes include Belinda Carlisle’s “Circle in the Sand”, Al Corley’s “Square Rooms” and Rick Astley’s “Never Going to Give you Up."

The cheese factor is all part of the fun so as the lyrics prompt you, make circles in imaginary sand, heart shapes with your fingers and squares with utmost conviction.

5. How to dress

"I know it's Louis Vuitton. But I think I'd prefer one with a bigger logo, lah."Singaporean women are bag ladies. They’d rather survive on instant noodles than forgo the opportunity to tote the latest designer bag.

Preferred brands are the ones with obviously placed logos (Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada and Chanel).

The Singaporean male is also no stranger to designer brands and logos. But don’t squeeze him into a Hedi Slimane suit, it’s too hot.

What’s Sunday best? A Ralph Lauren polo T-shirt (collar popped up), a pair of Bermudas plus the latest model of Havaianas or Crocs.

Also, no one wears a suit during the day. Do that and everyone will know you’re a Singapore virgin.

6. How to get the most out of your taxi ride

Get on with "uncle" or "auntie" –- that’s how most Singaporeans address elders, especially taxi drivers –- and you’re halfway towards obtaining permanent residency status.

Start by greeting your newfound uncle, asking how his day is. If there is no response, press on and ask for tips on where and what you should eat.

If this still proves futile, ask for an opinion on the government; but beware this will likely open up the floodgates.

Oh, and don’t bother asking uncle to use the built-in GPS, it’ll only get him or her flustered.

Turn on your data roaming, pull up a map, or just ask for a street directory.

More on CNN: Singapore's most tech-enabled taxi 

7. How to spend your weekends

Walking through the shopping mall all day hunting for sales is both mentally and physically exhausting. Many Singaporeans turn to reflexology for relief.Before 4 p.m., it’s often too hot or rainy to venture outside, so locals prefer weekends to follow a surefire combination of eating-shopping-napping-foot rub-movies -- and usually in that order.

Weekend meals either involve a lazy brunch at the latest dining hot spot or driving across the island for bowl of wonton noodles that you’ll have to spend 30 minutes queuing for.

To walk off the food, wander aimlessly around the nearest shopping mall; if there’s an IKEA close by, even better.

Once you've digested, it’s off for a session of reflexology where uncle will get rid of the week’s stresses.

To round off the day, navigate yourself into a darkened movie theatre where the audience will burst out in giggles at toilet humor or any reference to sex -- especially when the jokes aren’t funny.

8. How to avoid getting fined or jailed while …

Go ahead, chew away. Just don't get caught trying to sell the sticky stuff.... chewing gum

According to the law, you can chew gum for therapeutic value. Read into this loose interpretation whatever you like.

Just don’t bring huge quantities into Singapore, or they'll assume it's for sale on the black market. 

... being artistic through graffiti

Swiss graffiti "artist" Oliver Fricker should have just done what young Singaporeans do. Keep spray-painting talents to the confines of the *scape Youth Park, where it’s been deemed kosher.

9. How to shop

Rare is the Singaporean who can walk past a sign like this and resist the urge to shop.If it’s not on sale or there isn’t a queue, you don’t want it.

Adopt the Singaporean obsession with bargains and purchase a product only if it’s on sale. If you have to pay full retail price, badger the sales assistant for a discount or freebies -– they usually crack after 10 minutes.

The only time you should willingly pay full price for anything is when there’s a queue. The time spent lining up adds to your bragging rights and shows you’re a true-blue Singaporean shopper.

10. How to express yourself

Complaining is a national sport so don’t be afraid to express your displeasure at any of the following: bad service, the soaring cost of living, public transport delays and your favorite hawker stall closing down.

However, speaking up is preferably done online and not at Speakers’ Corner, where a permit is required before you can get on your soapbox.

Online forums and comment threads tagged to stories such this one is where you really feel the pulse (and angst) of the people. 

The end about faking a Singaporean! 
Pls spare a few minutes and watch a touching cartoon below.

Enjoy watching LAH! The cartoon is so touching.... ^o^

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS2R9_d8HcI&feature=share&list=PL5CB18960A5ADC8CD)

Pandas Sent to Singapore in Another Move of Panda Diplomacy

(http://youtu.be/qpszUKmt_jA)


Source - http://ntdtv.org/en/news/china/2012-08-29/pandas-sent-to-singapore-in-another-move-of-panda-diplomacy.html

Since the 1950 China has been sending pandas abroad to strengthen diplomatic ties. Pandas are a signature of central China’s Yangtze basin area and a hallmark of cuteness. Their teddy bear like features make them a popular attraction for tourists and an ideal diplomatic gift. Sadly there are very few left in the wild. 

Two Chinese pandas are getting a checkup today in preparation their trip to Singapore. The pandas both weighed 245 lbs and passed the health inspection with flying colors. 

They are being leased to the island nation in what is called a gesture of "panda diplomacy." Wujie, who will go by the name of Kai Kai in Singapore, is a 5 year-old male. Hubao is a 4 year old female and will go by the name Jia Jia when she gets to her new home. The pair are being leased to Singapore’s River Safari Reserve on a ten year loan. 

Pandas in the wild live about 18-25 years, and usually less in captivity. Both pandas will be in their mid teens by the time they return. 

The majority of panda habitat has been lost in China’s development and increasingly more are being born into captivity. Female bears ovulate only once a year, making breeding difficult in or out of captivity.  

Pandas numbers have dwindled in recent years to less than two-thousand throughout the world, and are officially on the list of endangered species.

And as for these two bears, they will leave for their new tropical island home on September 6th. 

Lastly, watch a short Taiwan film about a horrible crime hidden behind China's Wall...

Taiwan Film - Declaration of Geneva 

On 4th August, 2012,
For the first time, 
The Chinese Government for the first time publicly acknowledged
the existence of a "living organ transplant" market.
Illegal detention, harvesting, and sale of organs,
has resulted in an untold number of homeless and orphaned children.
Yet even to this very day the practice continues to be practiced within China.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq958DONjiY)