Nam Nam Noodle Bar (Nam Nam) which specialises in serving Vietnamese cuisine belongs to the Les Amis Group (which includes the likes of Au Jardin, Bistro Du Vin, Canele and other restaurants). But unlike these upscale restaurants, Nam Nam offers more affordable food in a causal bistro setting targeting the mass market. Nam Nam Noodle Bar (Raffles City Shopping Centre)

Nam Nam first opened at Raffles City Shopping Centre in late 2012. Within a short time span of less than a year, two other outlets have opened at Wheelock Place and Suntec City.

I have frequently past by its outlet at Raffles City and wanted to try it on several occasions. However, there was always a long perceptual queue! This time, we decided to meet visit the eatery early at 1130am to beat the crowd. Banh Min counter

The Banh Min (Vietnamese bread, normally toasted baguettes) counter is located right in front of the eatery. Nam Nam's seven commandments - the Namnam-tiquette placed at the front of the eatery. On every table, there was a row of bottles of condiments. Personally, we did use any of them as the originally taste of the dishes were sufficient. Southern Roll with Sweet Shrimps, Egg, Herbs $4.90

We kick started the meal with the Southern Roll with Sweet Shrimps, Egg, Herbs $4.90 was served with hoisin sauce fried with chicken liver dip. The Southern Roll were bland on its own. You would need to dip it into the sauce provided which was the game changer. The combination of the dip enhanced the flavour and would ignite your taste buds. One 'glitch' was that the rice paper used to wrap the roll was too tough. They really need to improve on this aspect as we had a hard time biting into it.Pho Beef Steak Slices $8.90

The most famous Vietnamese dish is Pho which is essentially a bowl of rice noodles with herbs, spices and thinly sliced meat (normally beef or chicken) in beef stock. How could we not order Pho in a Vietnamese eatery! Pho Beef Steak Slices $8.90

The Pho Beef Steak Slices $8.90 was surprisingly good. The two main factor was the beef slices and the beef stock. The beef slices were thinly sliced, slightly uncooked, and hence were so soft and tender. The beef stock was light, rich, aromatic (due to the herbs) and the flavours were so well balanced. Together with the thin and smooth rice noodles, it was a hearty comforting bowl of Pho! Yummylicious!~ Extra Toppings: Wagyu Beef $2.50

Ordered an Extra Topping: Wagyu Beef $2.50. It arrived in a small bowl. The stock was similar just that it was more robust - full beefy essence! The Wagyu Beef was also thinly sliced and was pinkish as it was slightly undercooked. This would be a good choice if you are a beef fanatic. Pho Beef Balls $8.90

The Pho Beef Balls $8.90 was average. Two main reasons. The beef balls were not as shiok as the beef slices in terms of flavour. In addition, the stock was not as beefy compared to the bowl of Pho Beef Steak Slices.

We quite like our dining experience at Nam Nam Noodle Bar and would definitely be back for the Pho Beef Steak Slices! With more outlets, hopefully the queue will not be as long.

http://foodiefc.blogspot.sg/2014/02/nam-nam-noodle-bar-raffles-city.html

There are quite a few hidden gem; cheap and good food stalls in Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Most of us seldom enter the university unless we are studying or working there. Since it was a rare chance that I was at the university, I had to make full use of the opportunity by having a meal there. The Korean stall called Manna Korean Restaurant at Hall 13 Canteen was strongly recommended by a member in our group.Hence, we visited Hong Yun, more commonly known as Hall 13 canteen. Although it was during the semester break, the canteen was packed when we left. In addition, the Korean stall which was wanted to try was opened. The Korean Stall; Manna Korean Restaurant is operated by Koreans. As it was lunch time, we had to wait a fair bit as there was several NTU staff / students in front of us. Menu

The menu with a wide variety of korean food to choose from. BBQ Beef Set $4.50

I ordered the BBQ Beef Set $4.50 which consisted of hotplate BBQ Beef served with rice, soup and a very small serving of kimchi. The rice, soup and kimchi were ordinary. Hence, I shall not write about them.BBQ Beef Set $4.50

The hotplate BBQ Beef with cabbage and Korean rice vermicelli with sesame seeds sprinkled on top deserved some airtime. They were very generous with the ingredients, particularly the BBQ Beef slices. The beef slices were well marinated. The only issue I had was it was a tad too dry. More sauce could have been added. At $4.50, it was quite value for money as it would have easily cost $7.50 or more at food courts. BBQ Chicken Set $3.90

The rest of the items were ordered by others in the group. The BBQ Chicken Set cost $3.90.BBQ Chicken Set $3.90

Unlike the BBQ Beef, there was no rice vermicelli in the BBQ Chicken. The BBQ Chicken was well marinated and it was the spicy version. It went very well with the rice. In addition, there were so many pieces of chicken and there were lots of sauce at the bottom of the hotplate. Bulgogi Beef (Korean Traditional BBQ)$4.70

The Bulgogi Beef (Korean Traditional BBQ) was quite good. This version is the soup version. The beef meat were marinated and then fried / BBQ with other ingredients (e.g. onion). Then the ingredients were poured into this Korean pot and cooked with golden mushroom and rice vermicelli. Bulgogi Beef (Korean Traditional BBQ)$4.70

Again, they were so generous with the ingredients. The amount of beef slices given was just so much. The soup was flavouful, though a tad too sweet. Dolsot Bibimbab (Chicken) $4.50Dolsot Bibimbab (Chicken) $4.50

The Dolsot Bibimbab (Chicken) cost $4.50. Can't comment on this as I did not try.

Overall, I must say that the prices here are really cheap and the food are not bad. Yes, the main reason for the so reasonable prices was because this is a university and most customers are students. Hence, there's a need to ensure that its affordable. Worth a try if you are within the area.

http://foodiefc.blogspot.sg/2014/01/manna-korean-restaurant-ntu-hall-13.html

Seah Im Food Centre located opposite Habourfront MRT station and Vivocity is one food centre which I seldom visit. I think this is only the 3rd time in my entire life I have been to this food centre. With no knowledge of what to order, we scouted around to find one with a queue. That was how we decided to order from Shi Ji Noodle Stall 狮记面食摊. This stall sells Prawn Noodle, Duck Noodle, Lor Mee and Thai Original Tom Yam Noodle. Prawn Noodle $3

I ordered a bowl of Prawn Noodle $3. Prawn Noodle $3

At $3, this bowl of prawn noodle was so value for money! Look at the generous servings of prawns, slices of fish cakes and pork, beansprouts and noodle. Although the prawns were small, they were fresh. The soup was light and tasty. Not too bad a bowl of prawn noodle. Lor Mee $3Lor Mee $3

The partner ordered the Lor Mee $3 which came with a generous amount of ingredients including ngor hiong, braised meat, slices of fish cakes, beansprouts, half a braised egg and topped with coriander leaves and garlic. The lor was wonderfully done; smoothly, fragrant, concentrated and not too starchy. Surprisingly good bowl of Lor Mee.

Shi Ji Noodle Stall 狮记面食摊 may not serve the best food, but the food was certainly value for money and decent. Worth a try if you are at the hawker centre.

http://foodiefc.blogspot.sg/2014/01/shi-ji-noodle-stall-seah-im-food-centre.html

Uncle Tetsu 徹思叔叔起司蛋糕 has opened its first outlet in Singapore!! If you have not heard of this brand, this is a very famous and popular brand - for using premium Japanese dairy ingredients to produce Japanese style cheesecake. Uncle Tetsu originated from Kyushu, Japan and has been in operation since 1990s. It has outlets in Japan, China (e.g. Shanghai) and Taiwan (e.g. Taipei). In Taipei and Shanghai, it is so popular that there are perpetual queues and customers are limited to a purchase of 1 box each. Uncle Tetsu's Cheese Cake $9.90Uncle Tetsu's Cheese Cake $9.90Uncle Tetsu's Cheese Cake $9.90

The spongy cheesecake $9.90 was incredibly soft, light and fluffy. It kind of melts in the mouth. In addition, it did not taste too cheesy and was not dry. I am not even a fan of cheesecake and would only take one bite of most cheesecake just to test the flavour. But for Uncle Tetsu's Cheese Cake, I must totally love it! Shiok! A must try!

I wonder if queues will start to form for this too.

Do note, their cheesecake can only last a few days as they use little or no preservatives.

Sadly, this shop seems to have closed down. Not sure if they have exited Singapore .

http://foodiefc.blogspot.sg/2014/01/uncle-tetsus-cheese-cake-ion-orchard.html

A Noodle Story 超好面 located in Amoy Street Food Centre has differentiated itself by being the first and only Singapore-style ramen. This is the brain child of two Shatec trained friends who decided to create ultimate noodles dish through a combination of modern European techniques and Asian flavours providing gourmet quality noodles at hawker prices. A Noodle Story has announced on Jan this year that due to increase in operating cost (rental and cost of raw ingredients), their prices have increased by 50 cents. Hence, please note to increase the prices by 50 cents for all the prices stated in this blog post. Singapore Style Ramen $6

The Singapore Style Ramen $6 consisted of Noodles, Hot Spring Egg, Cha Su, Potato Wrapped Prawn, and HK Style Wanton topped with scallions. The soup was served separately in a small bowl. The noodles were very springy and were similar to mee kia. Singapore Style Ramen $6Potato Wrapped PrawnCha SuHot Spring Egg

The noodles were cluttered together in a lump making it hard to eat. The chilli added at the side lacked spiciness and fragrance and was too dry. The ingredients such as the Potato Wrapped Prawn, Cha Su and Hot Spring Egg were quite good whereas the HK Style Wanton was ordinary with nothing much to shout about.

As a whole, the presentation and concept of this Singapore Style Ramen was unique. It looked real good. But taste wise, it was not mind blowing. Nevertheless, I still must say that I admire the spirit of these two young men for their innovation in creating such a dish. Moreover, the effort taken to arrange the ingredients in the bowl although this was not a restaurant.

http://foodiefc.blogspot.sg/2014/01/a-noodle-story-amoy-street-food-centre.html