Xiao Nan Guo 小南國

Xiao Nan Guo (Xintiandi branch)
2nd Floor South Block
Shanghai Xintiandi
+86 21 320 89777


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I love Shanghainese food.
The food is generally sweet, which appeals to someone with a sweet tooth. 

I love all the dishes. If I really have to pick the best three dishes, i will choose the black fungus cold dish, deep fried river baby fish and grandma's meat pot.
Dessert was awesome too. Fruits and yoghurt. Yummy!

Can't wait to try the dishes again.
Hopefully, my heart will be able to take the fatty meat...

Rating
Yummy-ness of food : 5/5
Pricy-ness of food : 4/5 (reasonable. the whole meal cost approximately SGD 65)
Overall Experience : 5/5 (will definitely come again!)


  

Deep Fried River Baby Fish - Used wildfish that is available from May to July only.
It is crispy, with tender meat and eggs. Yummy!

 

Grandma's Meat Pot - The fat simply melts in your mouth. There's beancurd sheets at the bottom of the pork.

Noodles with scallion flavoured oil and the next photo shows you the portion for 1 person.

Din Tai Fung Shanghai

Din Tai Fung (Xintiandi branch)

2F House 6, South Block Xintiandi, Lane 123

Xinye Road, Shanghai

+86 21 6385 8378

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There are many varieties of xiaolongbao available. Some of the exotic flavours are assorted mushrooms xiaolongbao, goose liver and chicken xiaolongbao, black truffle and chicken xiaolongbao, steamed pork with seafood xiaolongbao, steamed pork with sharkfin and hairy crab meat xiaolongbao.

Refrained from ordering noodles as I could hardly finish the typical portion served in Shanghai.
Hence, ordered the chicken soup, traditional pork xiaolongbao and the pork & hairycrab xiaolongbao.

The skin of the xiaolongbao was tougher than the one I had at Crystal Jade.
Also, the soup base in the xiaolongbao was not as generous.
Still prefer the traditional xiaolongbao.
The crab meat xiaolongbao is quite dry as it has even lesser soupbase in it.

But, I love the chicken soup. Can taste the richness of the simple broth.

Rating
Yummy-ness of food : 3/5
Pricy-ness of food : 3/5
Overall Experience : 3/5 (May try another branch instead. Hopefully, it will be better.)

 

Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao @ Shanghai

Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao

Hong Kong Plaza, North Building 3/F, Unit NL3-04

+86 21 6390 8028

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Their xiaolongbao is awesome!

Lots of soup base in the small little xiaolongbao. 

The meat is very tender too. 

The thought of the xiaolongbao makes me want to eat it again!

I thought I could finish at least 70% of the food.

I ordered La Mian in Sichuan style & 4 pieces of xiaolongbao. 

But, I was so wrong. I could only finish 30% of the noodles...

The serving was huge in Shanghai. 

The noodles alone is enough to feed at least 3 of me.... 

Rating

Yummy-ness of food : 5/5

Pricy-ness of food : 3/5

Overall Experience : 4/5 (Will definitely come back for the xiaolongbao. They even state the weights of the soupbase and meat!)

Juicy xiaolongbao!

Doraemon Exhibition - 14 Aug - 16 Sept 2012

I love Doraemon since young.

When I was a little I girl, I will always make it a point to attend all the shopping events around Doraemon.
Once, I was picked out from a group of children to answer a question on Doraemon and got a little blue handkerchief.

Back in 2010, MacDonald has just launched Doraemon in 12 horoscopes. Had to eat MacDonald for several weeks before I managed to get my full collection. The pig was launched at the very last. Still remembered setting an alarm to remind myself not to miss the last animal of the 12 horoscope.

Did you know that Doraemon birthday falls on 3 Sept 2112?

Harbour City will be hosting the “100 Years Before the Birth of Doraemon” Exhibition from August 14 to September 16. This exhibition will kickstart the one hundred year countdown to Doraemon's birthday!

5 reasons why you should not miss this event...

#1 Secret Gadgets

Everyone loves the many gadgets that Doraemon have.
There will be an exhibition that showcase 100 unique Doraemon figures along with 100 different pieces from his well-known repertoire of secret gadgets. This is an awesome collaboration with Harbour City, Animation International Ltd, supported by Fujiko Pro and ShoPro,

#2 Famous Scenes

Three famous installations will be set up at different parts of Harbour City including “The Night Before Nobita’s wedding!”, “Goodbye, Doraemon!” and “Memories of Grandma.”

#3 Doraemon Food

There will be dishes prepared specially for the occasion, such as Doraemon spaghetti and hamburger set. There will also be a limited edition “100 Years Before the Birth of Doraemon” souvenir plate for purchase! I am so looking forward to this! Yummy!

#4 Creating your very own Doraemon figurine

#5 And finally, limited-edition DORAEMON x AllRightsReserved “100 Years Before the Birth of Doraemon” premiums such as umbrella, t-shirts and mugs will be available at Gallery by the Harbour.

I love Harbour City ! It is a large shopping mall in Tsim Sha Tsui, which comprises several buildings, which encompasses shopping and hotel. Cant wait to do the following:
1. Visit  the Doraemon exhibition!
2. Stay at the luxurious Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel (ranked 34th by Tripadvisor),
3. Shop at Harbour City,
4. Try out the two star Michelin restaurant,  yè shanghai and rave about it!

So, don't forget the following:

Date: August 14 to September 16 2012
Location: Harbour City

Penang Food Trail - Joo Hooi Cafe

This is my favourite coffee shop as it serves my favourite Asaam Laksa.
Joo Hooi is located at 475 Jalan Penang Road and it is opened from 12pm to 5.30pm.
Finding the coffeeshop isnt easy and one can easily pass it without noticing it as it has a small obscured entrance.

My very first encounter with Assam Laksa was at Old Town in Kuala Lumpur last year. 

Ever since, I loved Asaam Laksa and can't wait to try the authentic version in Penang!

Assam laksa is thick rice vermicelli in fish broth. 

The texture of the vermicelli is soft and springy. 

Despite the abundance of garnishes served(i.e. cucumbers, onions, mint etc. ), I love this dish even though I am not a veg person. 

Assam Laksa (RM 3.50) approximately SGD 1.40 - 2 bowls

Popiah (RM 3.20) approximately SGD 1.30

Rojak (RM 4)  approximately SGD 1.60

Char Kway Tei (RM4) approximately SGD 1.60

Chendol (RM2.50) approximately SGD 1 - 2 bowls

Perfect for a ultra hot day

We also ordered a Barley drink at RM 1.30  approximately SGD 0.50 - 3 glasses

Total Cost : SGD 10.80

Penang Food Trail - Ho Ping

Recently, we went to Penang for a short getaway. 

I do not have much recollections on Penang as my last visit was when I was a little girl, say 10 years old. 

However, I still remember some attractions that I have been, such as snake temple etc. 

We happened to grab a guidebook on the good food in Penang and we embarked on a food expedition to sample as many food as we can, up to the point of having 6 meals a day! 

We stayed in Traders Penang, located in Georgetown. Being at the centre of town, it provides us easy access to eateries. The next few posts will provide some insights on the food that we have had during our 4 days in Penang.

The first place that I would like to introduce to you is Ho Ping.  We came here on two occasions - our first day lunch and second day dinner. 

Ho Ping is located at Jalan Penang. They are open from 8.30am to 9.30pm.

One practice in Penang is that it is a must to order drinks coffee shops. Otherwise, you will be subjected to a surcharge of RM0.30 per person. Practice may varies across coffeeshops. 

This was taken on our 1st day's lunch. 

Mee Goreng (RM3) approximately SGD 1.20

Kopi O (RM1 each) approximately SGD 0.40

Char Kway Teow (RM4) approximately SGD 1.60

These were taken on our 2nd day's dinner.

Fried Rice (RM4) approximately SGD 1.60

Lobak (RM6) approximately SGD 2.40

Pork noodle (RM7) approximately SGD 2.80 - Yes, we ordered brains. This was my first time tasting it. It is like very soft intestine. Had to really close my eyes to eat it and not feel too squeamish. 

Total cost  - SGD 10.40

Fiesta - Festive Hotel

Fiesta

Festive Hotel (Level 3)

Resorts World Sentota

Tel: 6577 8888

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This was my second visit to Fiesta. My first visit was to sample their breakfast buffet, Fiesta - Breakfast Buffet.

We decided to try their BBQ buffet dinner, which is available from Friday to Sunday.

The buffet spread is not as wide as the other buffets that we have been.
The spread is simple, for cold dishes, they have prawns, sashimi, mussels etc.

Fiesta is a family oriented restaurant. This is the first time that we see a special corner dedicated to children, where they can pick and choose their own snacks.

Rating

Yummy-ness of food: 2/5
Pricy-ness of food: 3/5 (typical pricing for a buffet that serves no lobsters, i.e. $58++ per person)
Overall Experience: 2/5 (I would opt for another buffet instead as I would prefer a quiet ambience for buffet)