Wrapped Lettuce at mouthful.

Bornga is a place where one can discover the whole new taste of Korean cuisine.Born-Ga’s fresh vegetable wraps. Enjoying the food and yet staying healthy at the same time. The creation of Korean Executive Chef and Chief Executive Officer Jong Won Paik.Instead of doing the barbequing ourselves, this time round I have opted for Dwaeji Gochujang Barbecue. This dish prepared and cooked in the kitchen before serving so we
don’t have to smell like BBQ after the meal.

These sliced of marinated pork belly fire grilled creating a flavourful spicy fiery stir fry dish goes well with the generous serving of fresh lettuces.There were seven variety of side dishes (Korean Banchan) which are refilliable The side dishes comprising of various types of marinated vegetables in different texture, taste and colour.Seven kinds of side dishes as follows:

Top Row:
(Left to Right)

1. Stir-fried Eggplants (Gaji Bokkeum)
2. Steamed shishito peppers (Ggwari Gochu Jjim)
3. Simple Korean Seasoned Spinach Salad( Sigeumchi Namul)
4. Mung Bean Sprout Salad (Sukju Namul Muchim)

Bottom Row:

(Left to Right)

1. Stir fry dried strips squid ( Ojingeochae Bokkeum)
2. Pickled Zucchini (Oi-Sobagi)
3 .Fresh Napa Korean Kimchi Salad (Baechu Geotjeori)

I only requested one additional refill for the side dish which is the stir fry dried strips squid. These pork slices smothered in spicy, sweet sauce and fire grilled smokiness are just irresistible. The pork are well marinated that you don’t require additional chilli sauce to go along with the dish.
Dwaeji Gochujang Barbecue Priced at S$36++.Combined with these belly pork slices are thinly sliced onions, spring onion stalks and leeks which complemented with the lettuce wraps.At the end of the meal, we received a complimentary drink “Omija”. Also known as five flavour berry tea. Believed to have medicinal values. This Omija served in a small bowl with crushed ice. This tea has distinctive five taste. Sour taste to protect the liver while the sweetness to improve the function of the spleen and stomach. Spicy or pungent to protect the lung while the bitter taste strengthen the heart and the salty taste to protect the kidney and bladder.

A reasonable size plate of grilled pork belly slices and six side dishes are sufficient enough for a hearty lunch meal.

Further more, the waiting staff are very helpful and courteous.

Each time when I by-pass the Mixed Vegetable Rice stall at 21 Street Eating House, I wondered why there is a long queue.I decided to join the crowd and see for myself what is so special about this stall.

I noticed there is a special dish that almost everyone is ordering and its none other than "sweet and sour pork".There was a wide selection of food to go along with either rice or porridge such as steamed mini promfrets, deep fried fish, sliced pumpkin, few variety of vegetables, salted eggs, curry chicken, diced chicken and many more.When its my turn to place the take-away order, I opted for three dishes namely, sweet and sour pork, curry chicken and Chinese white spinach.

To my surprise, I only paid S$2.50.

Unbelievable but its worth the effort of queuing to get good food at affordable price.

The sweet and sour pork though topped with the sweet and sour sauce still have the crunch from the deep frying. Very palatable. This dish is even better than those cooked by zi char stalls.

The curry chicken though only 2 pieces were well coated with the curry sauce and tasty.

The stir fry white Chinese spinach was very fresh and crunchy.Will go back for more other dishes in the near future.

Koi Kei reputable for their popular almond cookies currently with 16 chains stores in Macau and 7 chains in Hong Kong and now their flagship store in Singapore.From a cart selling only crunchy peanuts and ginger candies set their first establishment in 1997.

I would normally purchase a round can of Koi Kei signature almond cookies as one of the many varieties of Chinese New Year cookies for visitors.Koi Kei signature item is the whole almond cookies.

My husband discovered from the website of this flagship store in Singapore and better late than never, we took a trip to the shop yesterday.There were so many variety of snakcs from almond cookies, egg rolls, candies, meat jerky, calamary and their latest cripsy cashew and almond candy.

The almond cookies included flavours such as salted almond, almond with black sesame, almond chocolate and almond green bean. We chose our family favourite whole almond cookies which also happened to be the chef recommendation.

Priced at S$12.10.

Hmm! the wholesome goodness of the flavoured almond in each cookie.

So fresh, rich aromatic almond just melts in my mouth. Though powdery the taste has a combination of mungbean powder mixed with wholesome almonds and peanuts.The sales assistant recommended us to try the Portuguese style cashew cookies. This cookie has indeed relived my childhood treasured memories. Each cookie is so buttery fragrant filled with freshly toasted cashew nuts. My first bite of the first piece of this cookie touched my heart.

Priced at S$12.40.I have been looking for so many years my favourite American Shortbread Cookies which my Mom used to buy for me when I was sick to go with a cup of hot milk. My comfort snack. The buttery fragrance of each cookie packed in a high metal box. I managed to find a photo of the same packaging while doing some research work on food. Thanks to the owner of this photo.I was so happy that I found the same flavour of my childhood comfort snack.

The only exception is that these Portuguese style cashew cookies are coated with cashew nuts. The one I had as a child were all plain buttered cookies.

Hubby’s favourite ginger candy.

Priced at S$5.20. Their first ginger candy was founded in Macau in 1986. After continuous quality control research and testing by Mr. Leong, he transformed the traditional rock hard ginger candy into modern soft ginger candy. The softness and chewiness of each ginger candy slowly releases the spiciness when it melts in the mouth.

We wanted to buy a packet of the crispy cashew and almond candy but it was not available.

So we opted for the chewy peanut candy with white sesame seed and also their latest item.

Priced: 8.60.

Individually packed. Each candy chewy with the fragrant of rich peanut flavour and the generous amount of toasted white sesame seed coated on each piece.All the sales assistant in this shop are very courteous and take their time to explain to their customers the various types of items available. They have taken the extra mile of customer service.

Will be going back for more.

Its the small thought that matters most to me. Thanks Openrice for remembering my birthday.

Watami is one of the Food Partners with Openrice Singapore. Whilst shopping at City Hall, I decided to have lunch at Watami located at the basement of Raffles City Shoping Centre.

My first encounter with Ramen was at Narita International Airport in Tokyo while waiting for our transit to Hawaii.
I remembered paying like US$10 for a bowl of plain ramen. There was no ingredient.

I hardly eat ramen but decided to try something new from Watami Ramen Special Menu.

Ordered a new dish from the menu which is Watami Tonkotsu Ramen and Miso Yakionigin Set at S$15.80++.

This is the Watami Ramen Set with grilled rice ball topped with Miso Paste. I chose Root Beer for the complimentary soft drink that goes together with this set.I was served with a small bowl of fresh salad with Sesame Peanut dressing. The dressing is very fragrant and goes well with the vegetables.The grilled miso rice balls are crunchy and crispy topped with miso paste. Garlic added to the miso paste enhanced the flavour of the rice balls.The special pork broth for the ramen are made from fresh pork bones, carrots, onions and other vegetables stewed for 48 hours over low heat. Bone marrow is added to make the soup more fragrant and nutritious.Though there was only 2 slices of quality pork, I was told that the pork meat are cooked in secret sauce and simmered over one hour low heat.

The half boiled flavoured egg are cooked together with garlic and ginger in special sauce.

The ramen was springy made from high mineral wheat flour that gives a unique surface texture to complement the pork slices.

Together in the broth are thinly sliced leeks and bean sprouts adding freshness to the whole combination.

The black sesame oil is the best match with the pork bone soup.A light and hearty meal full of delicious ingredients and Watami No. 1 best seller.

Had a craving for Ikan Bakar and since I was in the vicinity of Arab Street, I decided to drop by at Sabar Menanti Restaurant at 48 Kandahar Street for Malaysian cuisine.

I have not been to Kandahar Street for a long time and was shocked to discover that the shop used to house Sabar Menanti Restaurant is now empty awaiting occupancy and out for leasing.

There were also a couple of other empty shops to be let out.

To satisfy my palate, I walked around to find another Ikan Bakar outlet.

I remembered there is another stall at the corner of Kandahar Street along North Bridge Road.

Nasi Padang Specialist since 1948, Warong Nasi Pariaman previously from 738 North Bridge Road has shifted across the street to their new address 742 North Bridge Road.This is the new premises which is just opposite the road.

.There was only one table left outside the coffeeshop. The place was packed and its only around
11.30 am. I just wanted my Ikan Bakar and nothing else.

I ordered one piece of Ikan Bakar and a Begedill (deep fried potato patty) and plain rice for early lunch.The Ikan Panggang or Ikan Bakar (grilled fish) served loaded with dollops of sambal or spice paste.

The Kembung fish grilled over charcoal fire. I could smell the smoky flavour of the dish and the sambal infuses the fish fillet with layers upon layers of spicy taste.

The sambal belacan with generous amount of diced shallots definitely add that special kick to this wonderful grilled fish.I paid total of about S$7.00 for the Ikan Bakar, a plate of white rice topped with curry gravy, a begedil (deep fried potato patty) and definitely not to be missed a glass of cold lime juice. The food layout does not look impressive but I would definitely recommend the Ikan Bakar.Craving is a good thing. In matter of culinary art, craving creates wonders and boost one’s appetite even if its just a piece of Ikan Bakar.