Gu Ma Jia (姑妈家)

Read up a few reviews on "Gu Ma Jia (姑妈家)" which is located along 45 Tai Thong Crescent where the nearest MRT access is at Potong Pasir Station(NE10) plus about 8 - 10 minutes walking distance to the restaurant. And since we heard so much raves about their food, we decided to drop by two weeks back to try out some of their "recommended" dishes.

Indeed the place and the interior give us a "homely" family restaurant atmosphere and their staffs were pretty friendly when taking orders and etc.

Although they have quiet a range of items from their menu but this signature "Assam Fish Head (亚参鱼头)" is what we are there for. The gravy might look "spicy" from the photo above, but when taste it is just nice with good balance of spiciness and sourish taste which our family loves. And moreover the fish is very fresh with firm and juicy meat together with lovely brinjal, lady fingers, pineapple and etc which makes it perfect for 2 bowls of steamed white rice.
Price: S$25.00 per plate (half fish head)

To be honest, I ordered this "Kyoto Pork Ribs (京都排骨)" because I wanted to see the "fire" effect before the "parcel" is being reveal to show the pork ribs but sad to say instead of "fire" we were all being "smoke" by its smoky effect when the dish is being place on the table.

For us, nothing special about this pork which we find it rather a bit salty and tough. Should have try the coffee pork ribs instead.

Price: S$20.00 per plate

Special Made Tofu With Lingzhi Mushroom (灵芝菇扒豆腐盒) taste good with their silky homemade tofu which is deep-fried but yet not oily. The tofu blocks are serve with some lingzhi mushroom together with blanched broccoli.
Price:- S$12.00 per plate

Their Prawn Roll (虾卷) or also known as Hei Zho is served with the usual sweet sauce with the smaller portion of 8 pieces in a plate. Quiet similar taste to the usual hei zho we had from some cze char stalls which is wrapped with beancurd skins and deep-fried till crispy. Love the juicy filling with crunch of chestnuts bits which taste great with the dipping sauce.
Price:- S$8.00 per plate (8 pieces)

Lastly we also tried the Oyster Omelette (蚝煎蛋) which looks so good on one of the blog reviews that I have read. This oyster omelette is different from those served in the hawker center where you find more starchy content rather thane egg. Here the omelette is more fluffy with less starch and generous amount of fat and juicy oysters that service with some spicy chilli sauce on it. The dish is a bit salty on its own so it is best to eat it with some rice unless you have strong taste bubs.
Price:- S$12.00 per plate


GU MA JIA (姑妈家)
45 Tai Thong Crescent Sennett Estate
Singapore 347866
Reservation No.: 6285 2023

Website: http://gumajia.com.sg
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foodpot

Opening hours: 11.00am – 10.00pm(daily)

Crystal Jade Jiang Nan @ Vivo City

Recently Crystal Jade Jiang Nan (翡翠江南) has returned as a casual eatery in VivoCity (facing Tung Lok Signatures - 同乐经典) at Level 1, #01-52 featuring simple Shanghai, Sichuan, Wu Xi and Guangdong dishes such as homemade noodles, xiao long bao and etc.

And since Aunt's Birthday is approaching in mid-June, I suggest to have an early celebration for her over at Crystal Jade Jiang Nan as well to try out their new menu.

APPETIZERS

餐前小吃

For appetizers Mum and Aunty both suggested to order this "Deep-fried White Bait "Wu Xi" Style (无锡小鱼儿)" where the crispy white baits are tossed with fried garlic, salt and pepper together with a layer of caramelized sugar coating. Indeed this is a wonderful snack to start off while waiting for the main dish to be served.
Price: S$9.80/plate(small)

For something adventure, I decided to try their "Marinated Pig’s Ear with Cucumber (湘江红油顺风)" which is a common appetizer in Zhejiang. These slices of crunchy pig’s ears are spiced with chilli oil, together with fresh cucumbers and sesame oil which helps to further enhance its flavour and texture.
Price: S$8.50/plate (small)

Just a note this "Steamed Beancurd with Egg Yolk, French Bean, Carrot, Black Fungus Served in a Cup (五彩拌豆腐)" is kind of a cold appetizer which is tasteless on it's own. So in order to flavour this dish, you have to adjust the taste using the provided condiments such as chilli oil, shallot oil, extra virgin olive oil and black vinegar.

As you can see from the above, it is such a vibrant appetizer with tofu, egg yolk, carrots and etc added to achieve the colour, fibre and nutrition. Although I have tried to add a bit here and there of the provided condiments but we still find this appetizer not very suitable for my liking but mum said it taste great together with the Deep-fried White Bait.
Price: S$8.00/cup

MAIN DISH

主菜

All along, the traditional Xiao Long Bao from Crystal Jade taste quiet decent with it's juicy filling of minced pork and soft dumpling skin so without hesitate I decided to order their new "Crystal Jade Multi-flavoured Xiao Long Bao (翡翠水晶八式小笼包)" for Aunt's Birthday to create some atmosphere.

Each tray comes with Crystal Jade’s Original Xiao Long Bao, Prawn Xiao Long Bao, Vegetable And Dried Beancurd Xiao Long Bao, Spicy Beef and Spicy Chicken Xiao Long Bao for an authentic Sichuan experience or western flavour such as Foie Gras, Cheese and Black Truffle Xiao Long Bao. To start with try those with a lighter taste(original) before moving on to the stronger flavour such as spicy beef and remember to eat them immediately or else the outer skin will be harden.
Price: S$14.50/serving tray

Another "must try" dish is their "La Mian with Spicy Chicken, Preserved Egg And Cucumber in “Sichuan” Style (重庆口水鸡拉面)" where the springy handmade noodle is served together with cold spicy chicken which makes it a refreshing dish for a change.

Although the "ma la" spicy sauce was a bit too strong(spicy) rather than numbing(ma la) to our taste but overall it still blends well with the cold noodles and tender chicken that leaves us crave for more helpings.
Price: S$11.80/plate(small)

Since their "Not Fried Rice (不是炒饭)" is sold out by the time we arrived (around 1.00pm), we have to sort for another alternative. So from the service staff recommendation, we ordered the "Fried Five Grain Rice With Anchovies" which served in a Korean style stone pot.

The 4 of us simple love this fried rice which is full of nutritious and vibrant colours from the ingredients used such as brown rice, preserved pickles, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, sweetcorn kernel and etc served together with some crispy anchovies on top. 
Price: S$13.00/serving

BEVERAGE AND DESSERT

饮料与甜品

We are amazed by the presentation of this "Hong Kong Style Cold Milk Tea" as it is served in a tall glass flask together with some dry ice flowing from the center of the flask. The overall taste of the milk tea is quiet smooth and fragrant but it could be better if it slightly colder.
Price: S$4.50/serving

To end the lunch, we ordered 3 different types of dessert such as "Pumpkin Cake with Red Bean Paste And Salted Egg Yolk (南瓜饼)" (i made something similar before, HERE) and "Japanese Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Fruit And Cream (白雪红梅)". So if you can't decide on which one to choice, you can order what I did with the combination plate of 2 items each.
Price: S$5.40/plate

They have a few choices on their shaved ice dessert but Aunt prefer this "Green Tea Snow Ice" with toppings such as colourful jelly, kidney beans and etc.
Price: S$4.50/serving

At the end of our meal, we are given a complimentary voucher of "8 pieces of Original Xiao Long Bao" for next return visit. (voucher is given with purchase from any basket of Crystal Jade Xiao Long Bao). Shall return again to try their "Not Fried Rice (不是炒饭)" since we didn't get to try it this round plus to enjoy our complimentary Xiao Long Bao.

CRYSTAL JADE JIANG NAN

1 Harbour Front Walk
#01-52 VivoCity
Reservation: +65 6221 1830

Opening Hours:-
Monday to Friday: 11.30am - 10.30pm
Saturday, Sundays and Public Holidays: 11.00am - 10.30pm