I love spontaneity and due to the nature of my schedule, it’s hard to find time for a getaway. But I suppose I just need a little spark of motivation to make that decision and 2 weeks ago, I did precisely that. When I heard from KY that Gordon Ramsay was doing the cook-off against Singapore Hawkers on the 7th July, I started planning my Singapore trip straightaway. To be honest I didn’t even care for the actual cook-off, to be within 10 metres of my ‘idol’ is enough to satisfy me, haha!
So when I mentioned the idea to Poesy (inspirational woman with many titles: artist, interior architect, jewellery designer and humanitarian), she was kind enough to reschedule the class with her art student and I had a travel buddy! Naturally, I was very excited and hardly slept a wink the night before our very early bus ride.
We arrived at Balestier Plaza via Odyssey Bus at a perfect timing as it was lunch hour! I just had to do my usual ritual of Boon Tong Kee Chicken Rice (I’d totally go to Singapore just for this). Poesy doesn’t usually eat Chicken rice but this was good enough for us to order an extra serve of drumstick. Another favourite of mine at BTK is the crispy skin tofu. Yum. I can have it again. And again. And then I’ll just be fat. Luckily I’m not Singaporean.
2 of us made our way to our host to freshen up, then I headed out to Newton Circus to get a piece of the action. I know that we have very Kiasu people in Singapore, but at this scale?
I heard some people started queueing as early as 1am? I’d like to know their mental process of waiting for over 17 hours just to have some hawker food. Even if it’s cooked by Gordon Ramsay.
The antipication was strong and the wave of excitement was pulsating through the air (so was the body heat and sweat. yay), and every vehicle that drove past induced screams from the crowd (both guys and girls, mind you). And then finally he arrived just before 6pm. I was too busy looking out for him so I didn’t get any clear shots, but safe to say that it wasn’t easy for the security to clear the path for him. Oh and he looked so good! So being the non-kiasu person, I only managed to squeeze through to about 5th row and this is the only shot I took which captured him. Wait for it:
By about 7pm I was thoroughly drenched by my own (and others!) sweat, so I made a quick exit and headed to Orchard road to meet Poesy and Fashion/Furniture designer Eunice for dinner.
The food was decent but the conversation was better. I probably would have been satisfied with another serving of Chicken rice instead. I had a good sleep with all that sake in my system (plus a glass or 3 of wine).
Since we went all the way to Singapore, we thought that it was a good idea to hold an early birthday lunch for Poesy and it was decided that we pay a visit to Sushi Airways, owned by one of Poesy’s friends (and also our host for that weekend).
Joining us were Han Ker (professional baker – check out her review on Sushi Airways), Eunice and Koh Zhi (photographer). It sure was an interesting creative arts mash-up.
I was suitably hungry by then and ordered one of my favourite yōshoku (Western-influenced Japanese food): Tonkatsu. This came as a bento set with miso soup as well.
Mmm that sure looked appetizing!
Look at the juicy pork cutlet. It was done perfectly and went down really well with some Tonkatsu sauce and Japanese style “Tartare sauce”. This has reignited my love for Tonkatsu because I haven’t had a truly good one in KL yet (someone recommended Tonkatsu @ 1u?)
The miso soup tasted light enough with plenty of vegetables. I like how it’s not laden with salt.
We were a little puzzled as to why the Sashimi was served after our bento dishes. But no matter, give me raw fish anytime (as long as it’s quality stuff). Look at that beauty! My inner cat was purring non-stop.
Some of the Sashimi pieces were not as fresh of the others, but the Chef noted our feedback and asked if we wanted extra pieces of the fresher fish. We didn’t take the offer as there was enough food for all of us anyway. We got some complimentary side dishes that would have been good if we were drinking. I probably wouldn’t order the sashimi again (or stick to specific fish like Salmon), but definitely recommend that Tonkatsu.
SushiAirways 寿司航空 Sushibar,
20a Baghdad Street, Singapore, Singapore 199659
http://www.facebook.com/Sushiairways
Operating hours: Mon – Sun: 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm, 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm
After lunch, some of us went over to Far East Plaza and got some really good bargains. I was trying not to spend too much but ended up buying a few things anyway. *slaps wrist* For the return journey we took the Transtar coach. Comfortable with lots of movie choices. Ahhhhh… I want to repeat this all over again!
Thank you so much Poesy for buying lunch and being such a fun travel buddy! No doubt there will be another birthday celebration before the actual date. Oh, I shall end this post with one of Poesy’s art pieces. This is my favourite series: The Rooftop Cats.
By the way, if you are interested in tasting my cooking, you’ll be able to do that for free at this special event. It’s a Ramadhan Pop-up Cafe on the helipad of Menara Maybank. Have I mentioned that it’s free? There will be 2 other Plateculture hosts cooking too and we will be serving up to 60 pax. Book now at https://plateculture.com/where-to-eat/etiqa-ramadhan-pop-up-cafe-on-the-helipad
Kelly Siew Cooks 
He should come to Malaysia, make some bah kut teh. haha impromptu road trips are always fun.. havent been to SG for a while now..
Yeah last time he came he only learnt Rendang, Chicken Kapitan and Nasi Lemak.
Haha *squints* is that Gordon himself in a black T-Shirt with his back turned towards you (I can only see the back of his head haha) 😊
Yeah that’s him!
*Shy* My dear, I’m not the professional baker yet la.
Do you need any help on the coming plateculture?
Hahahaha! More pro than some of the pros already, just look at your macarons! 😀 There will be 3 people cooking but we will all be cooking at home. I have yet to figure out how to do such a large batch yet but I think I’ll going to need to buy extra springform pans for my cheesecakes!
Dont need to buy, just borrow from me.
Kelly, you had fun huh? I shy away from spontaneity and I like things planned. But that’s just boring me. The pop up cafe sounds like fun 🙂
I generally plan my things out but it can be liberating to just run away somewhere with no planning!
i love spontaneous trip liddis which i do quite often. you see me in Penang in the morning and i’m spotted in KL in the evening! homie always find me missing!
arghhh would like to meet Gordon Ramsay in person! can’t see him in the photo le..
i watch his video about how he persuaded restaurant owners in China to stop selling shark fin dish in their restaurants! salute this man!
Hi Kelly! That sounds like an enjoyable trip although, in my humble opinion, the whole GR hawker challenge was just a marketing show!
Hmmm… if only I could taste your cooking too! Too far and I don’t do spontaneous trips! 😀
Totally agree with you. Hence I didn’t even bother to queue up to taste the food. The hawkers have been cooking a particular dish for years and he is a total different ball game! Can the hawkers survive at any of his restaurants? I highly doubt so. But I had a really good time la just getting away for the weekend.
Tonkatsu by Ma Maison in 1U? I found them oilier than the ones served at Tonkatsu by Wa Kitchen in Pavilion. U might wanna try the kurobuta pork tonkatsu in Ichiriki in The Gardens though =)
Good suggestion, see if I’m motivated enough to go la.
Wah so much jealousness for this! Wanted so badly to join in and go.. at times like these I wished I lived nearer to home!
And his Melbourne Maze has closed down too. Was so sad.
How come no foto with GR?!! you didn’t grab him and take photo ar?? LOL
Didn’t you see the photo of ‘him’ (that’s if you can find him la)? I was so far away lol! I didn’t queue up to go inside.
Surprise that you liked boon tong Kee! Mandarin orchard is better I think! 5 star chicken rice next to boon’s outlet in katong is more value for money! Should spend more day in singapore! Haha!
I like all the side dishes beside the chicken rice, and it’s right opposite where the bus drop us off. Might not be the best but it works for my tastebud. I don’t like the one at Mandarin, the portion is not shiok at all. At BTK I can wallop half chicken on my own. I had to go back to work la. Can’t stay long.
Oh that sashimi platter does look amazing but too bad it wasn’t all fresh. I love GR too, would love to meet him in person one day (he does follow me on Twitter so yay!).
Oh yeah he followed me last time too but I don’t know if he still does. I hardly tweet anymore.
HAHAHAH I’m not the most kiasu person so I’d probably get a shot like that of GR, or maybe even worse. 😀 agree that he should most definitely come to KL. I’d like to have some Gordon Ramsay satay!
Bahahahahahha! I prefer to have Gordon serve me Gordon’ food. Some of those Beef Wellington would be nice! His braised beef cheeks was also a memorable dish.
Haha thank you for being a great travel companion too. BTK was good, but my food luck that trip sucked. Sorry about that!
And thank you for featuring my Rooftop Cats. No 13 happens to be my most favourite too!!! We have the same taste in cat. Why am I not surprised.. Haha.
The company was better than the food. But nevermind, next time!
Wow I’d love to see Gordon Ramsay in person one day! And all the food looks soo delicious. It’s surprising to find nice tonkatsu in the most random places – the best I’ve had recently was at a small poky Japanese in Wudaokou, Beijing 😀