Hello Everyone,
this is one long overdue blog post but nevertheless, I am really excited to share this particular entry with you all.
Thanks to OMY.SG and Food Republic, a group of bloggers and I were invited to an EXCLUSIVE interactive brunch session with the stellar food operators of 112 Katong Food Republic! Just in case you’re wondering where in the world is 112 Katong, it’s actually at the Old Katong Mall. In fact, when I entered 112 Katong, I was totally awestruck by the 180 degrees transformation that I couldn’t believe with my very own eyes that this was the Old Katong Mall!
So much for the introduction. When I arrived at Food Republic, I was so mesmerised by their entire new decoration and floor concept! Unlike your typical eateries like Food Junction or even Banquet, Food Republic usually stands out the most because of its intricate interior decorations. In fact, Food Republic at Vivocity, Wisma Atria, Serangoon NeX, Suntec City all have their own unique designs and this particular Food Republic at 112 Katong Mall is no exception.
For the Food Republic at 112 Katong, the design and floor concept has a rather executive kitchen kind of feel and because every food stores there have a transparent glass where you can literally see your food being prepared and cooked, you can be rest assured that your food is cooked 100% hygienically [is there even such a word?]. From the photographs, you can see that the food stores has a clean executive look to it!
So before the brunch session actually started, Baby and I were walking around to check out the place and take some photographs, and guesswhat?!, they even have an outdoor water park that is similar to the one at Serangoon NeX Shopping Mall; yes, right outside the Food Republic!
Alright, I am sure most of you are excited to check out what I had for brunch, so… I hereby present to you the stellar food operators and their specialities!
Ice Shop
For instant gratification to tropical Singapore’s hot and humid weather, the Ice Shop offers cold desserts such as Ice-Kachang, Bubur Cha-Cha, Chendol, Ice-jelly and Cheng Tng. With over 15 cold and 5 hot selections, these desserts make for the perfect ending to any meal.
Specialties:
Ice Kachang, Chendol, Cheng Tng
Yong Soon You Tiao
Started by his grandfather over 20 years ago, Mr Low continued the trade and picked up the skill of making these savoury treats. As these dough fritters are best eaten hot, Mr Low makes it a point to have them freshly fried at all his stalls. Customers will be able to choose between traditional dough fritters such as You Tiao (Fried Dough Sticks), Butterfly fritters (Butterfly shaped dough fritters) and new exciting flavours for Xian Jian Bing (Deep-fried salty fritters) such as coffee, red and green bean and pandan. Muslim diners will be glad to know that these dough fritters are certified halal.
Specialties:
You Tiao (Fried dough fritters), Butterfly Dough Fritters, Xian Jian Bing (Deep-fried salty fritters)
Thye Hong Fried Hokkien Mee
If you are a fan of Fried Prawn Noodles, Char Kway Teow and Fried Oyster Omelette, then this stall is touted to have the best. With over 40 years of history, Thye Hong insisted on serving its fare on Opei leaves specially imported from Malaysia and Indonesia. The leaf infuses a subtle, woody fragrance to enhance the taste of the noodles. What’s more, Thye Hong was hand-picked by the Singapore Tourism Board to showcase his Char Kway Teow as one of our nation’s most celebrated local specialties at the Culinary Institute of America in California. Selling a daily average of 500 portions of his signature dishes, be prepared for a long queue to savour this local delicacy.
Specialties:
Fried Prawn Noodles, Char Kway Teow, Fried Oyster Omelette
Fu Lin Tofu Yuen
Don’t be fooled by its name and look. Fu Lin Tofu Yuen does not serve your normal Yong Tau Fu. Customers get to choose from a variety of traditional Yong Tau Fu that will be cooked crispy upon order and served with their specially made minced chicken mushroom sauce and chilli. Most will have it with their speciality minced chicken mushroom gravy with noodles, made so delicious that one bowl is never enough.
Fu Lin Tofu Yuen started in 1994 in the East Coast area to provide a different kind of Hakka Yong Tau Fu and has been seeing an average of 1000 customers daily. They have since opened four more outlets at various locations in Singapore. With its huge popularity, there have recently been others who tried mimicking their minced chicken mushroom gravy recipe. So, for the authentic Fu Lin Tofu Yuen, you can now find it at Food Republic 112 Katong.
Specialties:
Minced Chicken Mushroom Gravy with Noodles, Wide variety of Fried Gor Hiang, You Tiao and traditional Yong Tau Fu
Li Xin Teochew Fishball Noodle
Made twice daily, Li Xin’s fishballs are made with yellowtail only and kept chilled in cold water but never frozen. Owner Eddie Lim, son of founder Lim Lee Seng, says that this method has been used since his father’s time to keep the fishball soft and bouncy. Not only do they make their own fishballs, they make their own chilli sauce and crispy lard pieces as well. Based on the same recipe that has been used since they started in 1968, you will definitely appreciate the effort taken to make this traditionally delicious fare.
Specialties:
Fishball noodles (Dry and soup with a selection of noodles)
Huat Huat BBQ Chicken Wing
With over 20 years of history, Huat Huat BBQ is fondly known for its succulent and juicy chicken wings that are freshly barbecued to golden brown. The barbecued chicken comes with fresh lime to enhance the sweetness of the chicken wings. For those who like the additional kick, try it with their chilli sauce.
Specialties:
Barbecued Chicken Wings, Carrot Cake, Satay, Rojak
Cho Kee Noodle
In 1965, Cho Kee Noodle started selling wanton noodles in Old Airport Road to support the family. From a then humble push cart food stall to the present now, Cho Kee Noodle has been serving their much-loved traditional wanton noodles to customers from all walks of life. To maintain the high level of food quality for an exquisite taste, noodles and ingredients like char siew, dumplings and chilli are now prepared in their central kitchen.
What’s more, to cater to folks with increasingly modern tastes, noodles made of spinach, carrot and seaweed have been specially created for that unique spin-off.
Specialties:
Wanton noodles, Creative handmade noodles
The colours of the noodles look so tempting and there are just so many flavours to try! By the way, Cho Kee Noodle is rather famous and popular, so you just got to try this!
Dapur Padang
Padang food is Indonesian most famous traditional cuisine. It is also renowned globally and is always the favourite choice of both Asians and Westerners. Dapur Padang only uses all natural ingredients to serve you the very best of Padang Cuisine’s manifold tastes. Simply irresistible!
Specialties:
Curry Chicken, Gulai Mutton, Rendang, Ikan Asam Pedas
Formosa Delights
Opening its fifth stall at Food Republic, Formosa Delights is famous for its handmade noodles made daily and cooked upon order. Do not be shocked if you see sliced white dough flying through the air into a boiling pot! Called Dao Xiao Mian (Knife Shaved Noodle), it is both interesting to watch and delicious to savour. These triangular shaped noodles are higher in elasticity and chewier.
If you are just looking for some snacks, their Steamed Dumpling is also well-loved for its smooth skin and soft, juicy filling made with ground pork. Fried Dumpling is another attraction on its own. Each dumpling dons a layer of thin expertly kneaded dough, fried to a golden crisp, with juicy ground pork sealed within.
Specialties:
Dao Xiao Mian, Ban Mian, Stewed Beef with Noodles Soup, Fried Dumpling , Black Pepper Chicken Noodles, Chicken with Dry Noodles
Bangkok Gem
Treat your taste buds to an authentic Thai feast at Bangkok Gem. With only the freshest ingredients used in preparing their specialties such as hearty Pad Thai, piquant Tom Yum Goong, fragrant Thai Mango Salad and spicy Thai Green Curry, diners here will surely have a lip-smacking good time!
Specialties:
Pad Thai, Tom Yum Goong, Thai Mango Salad, Green Curry
Ju Shin Jung Korean Cuisine
Starting out as a simple family business in Korea, Seoul, Park and Yun then had the lofty idea of bringing authentic Korean food to the world. Singapore became their first stop. Ju Shin Jung Korean Cuisine now has three restaurants in Singapore and Ju Shin Jung at 112 Katong Food Republic will be their first express counter. Now you can indulge in your favourite Korean food in a shorter time!
Specialties:
Ginseng Chicken Soup (Samgaetang), Mixed Vegetable Rice in Hot Stone (Dolsot Bibimbob), Seasoned Beef with Rice (Bulgogi Set), Spicy Tofu Soup (Soondubu Set), Korean Chicken Noodle (Chicken Ramen)
Ah Yip Herbal Soup *NEW*
Taking more than 10 hours to prepare, herbal soups at Ah Yip Herbal Soup are tasty and healthy. Established in 1993, Ah Yip Herbal Soup was set up because of a simple wish to help keep people healthy. The founder, Mr Cheng Keng Yip, was a physician for more than 10 years and knows that drinking herbal soups is an effective and easy way to good health. Based on his expertise and knowledge in Chinese Herbs, he specially created a range of herbal soups that capitalizes on the efficacy of herbs without comprising on the taste of the soups. Each serving of soup is cooked individually, so cherish every drop as there is no refilling of soup. Be sure that every spoonful of Ah Yip Herbal Soup has all the goodness sealed in. Try out their signature soups like the Herbal Duck Drumstick Soup Noodles and Herbal Stew Duck Soup.
Specialties:
ABC Soup, Herbal Duck Drumstick Soup Noodle, Boneless Chicken Rice/Noodle, Qi Zi Dang Gui Chicken Rice, Herbal Stew Duck Soup
Fragrant Hot Pot (??????)
Feast your eyes and take your pick from a dazzling array of fresh meats, seafood and vegetables choices. These will be stir-fried with their special Ma La sauce, made from over 20 different herbs and spices. Originated from Beijing, the Fragrant Hot Pot is widely popular with Chinese nationals here so you can be sure of its authenticity. Based on your tolerance level, the chefs will be happy to accommodate different levels of “numbness (?)” and “spiciness (?)”. Of course, non-spicy is not an option!
Specialties:
Ma La Sauce with a selection of fresh meats, seafood and vegetables
Look at all the spices and herbs that goes into their special Ma La sauce! It was definitely a tongue-biting experience [at least for me!]
Indian Express *NEW*
Established as one of the iconic restaurants of Singapore garnering numerous awards for innovative cuisine and exceptional ambience, The Song of India is now brought closer to the hearts of Indian food lovers with the opening of Indian Express at Food Republic 112 Katong. Offering modern Indian dishes with a unique twist, Indian Express uses authentic herbs, spices and the finest ingredients to create mouth watering flavours that are refreshingly light and healthy, at affordable prices. Be tantalized by Indian Express’ novel menu that is guaranteed to titillate your taste buds with local favourites such as Kababs, Biryani, Curries and soft & fluff Naans. An explosion of flavours await as prominent Chef Manjunath Mural makes it a point to execute the Indian dishes with creativity and his attention to details will definitel win the hearts of many.
Specialties:
Tandoori Chicken, Butter Chicken, Garlic / Butter Naan, Dum Biryani
Pepper Lunch (mini restaurant)
A hit since they stepped on the shore of Singapore, Pepper Lunch offers do-it-yourself fare with fresh ingredients served on a special electromagnetic iron plate. You get to cook your food the way you like it and drizzle it with the honey brown sauce for that sweet tangy taste. Best of all, you get the full restaurant menu at 112 Katong Food Republic.
Specialties:
Beef Pepper Rice, Pepper Steak, Salmon & Chicken, Double Hamburg Steak & Egg
Wee Nam Kee Hainanese Chicken Rice (mini restaurant)
Wee Nam Kee Hainanese Chicken Rice Flagship store is located at 275 Thomson Road, opposite the Novena Church. Wee Nam Kee Hainanese Chicken Rice is famed for its succulent steamed and roasted chicken rice and was most recently voted the best hawker at the AsiaOne People’s Choice Awards 2010. The Restaurant was also invited by the Prime Minister’s Office to participate at its Singapore Day in Shanghai. At Wee Nam Kee Hainanese Chicken Rice, the rice is cooked just nice to give you a delicious meal and its chilli sauce complements the meal perfectly to give you the best chicken rice you can ever ask for.
Specialties:
Steamed Chicken, Roast Chicken, Cereal Prawns, Assam Fish Head , Chilli Crab, Salted Egg Yolk Pork Ribs
So as you can see, it was a rather fulfilling brunch session indeed and while I won’t comment on the taste and quality of the food [because honestly, all of them tasted superbly fantastic and each dish has its own unique attributes!], you should really check out Food Republic at Katong 112 because some food dishes are only exclusively available at the Food Republic Katong 112. Just to add on, you should also visit Food Republic’s website at http://foodrepublic.com.sg to vote for your favorite hawker because you stand a chance to win $8000 worth of cash and prizes!
What are you waiting for? Hurry down to Food Republic at Katong 112 and hunt for your favourite hawker now!
