Korean One Noon Stand, details in post!

What kind I say, it was a one-off thing. Really. I needed to get it out of my system, so dun judge me. A guy has needs, and when an opportunity like this presents itself, not to mention with easy access from home, I just had to grab it with both hands. 

Do not judge me. 

You tell me that you can resist temptation, especially after watching it on your computer via one of those streaming sites. Rather than just 'doing it yourself', wouldn't you get 'outside help' after being tempted to bursting point?

I wasn't even thinking about it, to be honest. I think cos I had a late night out previously, and then as per all other nights it ended with me heading home all by myself, again. So while I was out strolling around for lunch the next morning, my eye kept veering to this Korean. It was lust at first sight. Pure, visceral lust. The kind that you feel stirring and even fizzing up strongly within you.  

I'm not sure what compelled me to walk over, or what made me even ask how much it would cost to satisfy my urges. I can only say, the whole time from start till end, I was drooling and perspiring and yet there was still no reason for me to go slow. I needed to push on, even when I was beyond my limits, I just couldn't bring myself to stop!

Jinjja!! Chicken

Nothing else to say except cravings satisfied. Jjajangmyun (Minced Meat Bean Paste Noodles) looks super shiok on TV, especially on variety shows like Running Man, 1 Night 2 Days, Infinity Challenge, etc where the cast slurp the noodles with gusto. See liao instant craving. Admittedly I over ordered, since it's supposed to be an 'either or' option for your meal, but I just had to have a combination of both.

Give it a while, your eyes will adjust

Just too bad there's no Soju, it would have gone down perfectly. But it's at Clementi Mall, and since that's a very family friendly mall, surrounded by schools, few outlets there have an alcohol licence for fun people like me. 

So I'm sorry to disappoint if you thought I had a hot, steamy session with a Korean babe. I dun have that kind of luck la. It was more a steaming bowl of noodles and spicy chicken wings that got me perspiring. And was too full, but I had to make myself finish the food. Meet me in person and you'll see that I look just as bad as in my photos. And dun say Korean, Singaporean ladies also shun me like I have Zika, or worse, as if I am a Kong Hee AND Amos Yee die-hard fan. Nope, not adding any links to them.

I need to give a special shout-out to Clover Films for graciously letting me have preview tickets to the movie 'This is Not What I Expected' starring the forever young Takeshi Kaneshiro.

It's actually a pretty funny Rom-Com, although I recommend that you grab a bite to eat before heading into the theatre, cos right at the start there's cooking involved. I swear my stomach growling was much louder than the sound system, and the sizzling sounds from the steak, the stir-frying of the other ingredients and the soup being boiled over, all these were not helping. Barely 5 minutes into the show and I was hoping the show would end soon so that I can go for dinner.

I'm not going to tell you the plot, or the ending, so head to the theatres and catch it yourself, you cheap, down-loading from piracy site, person. Bear in mind, if one day the film-makers find no value in producing movies for gate receipts, then they won't be producing movies in future. Means nothing for you to download. Then how, all go back to playing Monopoly and losing your friends ah? 

I want to say not really, but...

So after that wonderful movie, we proceeded to have a simple dinner at my regular dining spot in Clarke Quay. There's this magical place called SQUE Rotisserie and Alehouse. 1 for 1 beer, practically from opening hours till closing. This I can personally prove, since I did once drink from 11.30am till 11pm over here.

And although there's a gap in between, you can order a few sets and HOLD them while you wait for Happy Hour to start again. No such thing as it has to be served in 15 minutes maximum. How awesome is that!

They gave us seats as close to the river as possible too!

Review of the food: Anything from the menu is a good bet. Portions are generous, so if you are not a big eater, share. 

Review of the drinks: It's 1 for 1, in town area, with river view. If that still isn't good enough for you, then drink at kopitiam while watching YouTube videos of water flowing.

In case you've noticed something at the corner of the 1st photo, yes you are really observant and you're right. That pint of Singha beer is mine. I think it's only $14.80++ for 2 pints. TWO!!! The cider isn't mine, but it was a really good choice cos the weather was warm and it came with a lot of ice. I used some for my beer too, cos you know, I like my beer Uncle style. Try out this place, you'll keep coming back. I have been drunk here since 2011, no better endorsement than that.

Of course that happened early on in the week due to the Vesak Day public holiday, and it was a nice break from work for a bit. But thereafter for the weekend, alcohol free time was needed. Heck, I'm writing all these after being absolutely exhausted from Sunday morning soccer. Although I suspect the reason I was tired really easily was due to a late Saturday night dinner at Clarke Quay, no alcohol as mentioned. I drove instead of the usual Grab/Uber ride, so not even a drop of beer would have passed through my lips.

Instead though, we had Lobster King Ramen from the Keisuke chain of restaurants. They do have different flavours of broth at other outlets, but that's for another day where I need more cholesterol in my system.

Taste test: 

There were free flow of hard-boiled eggs on every table, and there was mayonnaise too. Sinfully shiok. Instant egg salad. I had 2 eggs, and then was a little too full for the rest of the food. Because cheapo Singaporean me.

For starters though, we tried out their Beef Tataki. Squeeze in that lemon slice, and prepare a small dish of soy sauce, trust me. The beef tasted fresh, but really light on flavour so I wasn't that impressed. Those condiments were very necessary. Oh oh, it came with onions, and those were gooood. So for this side dish, I recommend the onion slices as the main taste.

The pork gyozas, well, just fantastic. Slightly fried, and when you bite into it, soup squirts out. Hur hur. Sorry, was thinking dirty for a while. The plating comes with a small depression off the side so that you can mix some white vinegar and chilli oil, very convenient. Best dish of the night. By the way, it's not Halal certified (in case the name 'pork gyoza' didn't clue you in) so please avoid asking your Muslim friends to try it with you. The staff did assure me that they are looking to bring in Halal pork soon, so fingers crossed.

Really great first spoonful of soup. Plus I had to try clear broth ramen, never had that at all. Since you had a choice of the type of broth, the intensity of the soup flavour, the chewiness of the noodle and the spiciness, it's pretty much customisable to suit any individual's palate. I chose normal on all three options of the noodles, and the first taste did not disappoint. Again, I wasn't flying in the air, but the lobster taste was really pronounced.

After that leh... it went a bit flat. Maybe cos I was too full of eggs, or that the aircon (not a complaint, it is needed in this crazy weather) cooled the soup too quickly. Cos after 10 mins or so, it started to taste exactly like a bowl of prawn noodle soup. At a food court. And I'm not even trying to be funny here. So unless you are really hungry, and can gulp down the noodles before the soup cools off, I think the 30 min queue might not be for everyone. Except those who like free wifi so they can play their games outdoor. Thank you Capitaland. Hugs.

To add, I would also like to apologise to a few people whom I could not meet over the weekend. I know I messed up your filming schedule, and for that I am full of remorse. My sincere apologies.

And to conclude, I wish all mothers out there had a wonderful Mothers' Day weekend. My mum had to travel for work so we had our dinner on Vesak Day. Do check out my Instagram or Facebook feeds, I posted a couple of pictures and videos of the happy family outing.

Signing off,
KJ

 










Fun Fact: Noodles are mostly long.

Earn massive income, start a church!

Singapore being what it is, there are long queues for almost everything. Hawker food, latest iPhones, limited edition apparel and of course McDonald's toys. But yesterday, a different queue was formed, one where many City Harvest cult church members were waiting patiently in line to hear the verdict of their cult leader pastor. 

Apparently the queue started the night before. Also good, that way no sane people can go in and throw eggs in protest of having their charitable hearts and wallets taken for some pop idol dream by a pastor's scantily clad wife. 

credit to New Nation, excellent beer marketing

It might have been for some Crossover project, but then why not just fund a songwriter and collaborate with an already famous singer from our shores? Then again, it really does look pretty apt for a beer ad from the Land of a Thousand Imitations.

Anyways, the verdict was out, and their sentences were all reduced by at least 50%. Awesome moment, though of course the brain-washed idiots members were deeply saddened that the conviction was not completely overturned at all. I fully understand though, cos when God smites them, it's not fair to the rest of the white collar convicts sharing the prison block. 

Mr Almighty Sir, dun mind wait a couple of years before the smiting? With good behaviour, Ah Hee will be out and about selling his Olive Oil in just over 2 years. Although, I dthink that God did once apologise to Kong Hee...

lai ah lai ah, one bottle 5 dollar, cheap cheap ah

So since it's a Friday once more, it's time for many to give thanks and bow their heads in prayer at the weekly sermon. As for what Kong Hee sees:

who can resist that convincing smile

But enough about him and his $50 million, or his Sentosa Cove condo, or his ability to still earn millions while incarcerated. All this fiasco has shown to his flock, is that he is still the one to lead them to bankruptcy their freedom. For those poor souls, I honestly pray for you to be happy.

Moving on.

For the uninitiated, this is Kko Kko Na Ra at 68 Tanjong Pagar Rd. Awesome ambience, and on a weekday, not too much of a mad queue both outside and in the kitchen. Which means you can almost feel assured that your food does not include any accidental chef flavoured perspiration.

However, my friend was a little late due to unforeseen traffic situations, and so instead of waiting outside in the sweltering April heat wave, I decided to cool myself off with some Mak Gul Li (막걸리), or for non alcoholics, Korean Rice Wine.

for the eagle eyed, yes this is a pic taken later in the night

Maybe the staff knew that I get tipsy really easily, so they served the Mak Gul Li (막걸리) with some side dishes. I think Korean tao geh (beansprouts) are probably the best tasting ones I have ever eaten. I even made sure that I ate them before any alcohol so that my taste-buds would not be affected. Theirs had some slight spiciness, and that was totally right up my alley. It even made the drinks so much sweeter in comparison

But of course we couldn't just be sitting there chatting without any actual food. And going into Kko Kko Na Ra generally means that you are looking to have KFC, or Korean Fried Chicken, just like in the Korean dramas every one is binge watching. Yes you know you are, dun have to deny. Recommend me comedies please. Unlike the dramas, we didn't have to spit the food out since there was no film crew around to stop filming. Plus we weren't famous too. Yet.

The original was a good way to start things off, followed by the garlic flavoured one, and then rounding off with the sweet sauce. I think the garlic is the one to go for, although eating them in that order allows you to taste the 3 different flavours accurately. But I definitely recommend the garlic, cos it's not that greasy and you dun smell that bad afterwards. Next time I'll try and ask for a kiss after that just to prove it to you guys.

We also ordered a pancake to try out, since anything other than this would be too much for 2 stomachs to bear. Mine was already trying to see if my shirt buttons were sewed on with industrial strength threads. If not for me sucking it in to look presentable, Kko Kko Na Ra would have buttons ricocheting all over the cosy environment. For this dish, I dun advise over-dipping in the soy sauce provided, cos they do not dilute it at all. Damn giam boy, and for once I'm talking about the flavour and not the stinginess of the establishment. Burp.

Oh ya, and thanks USA for taking Amos Yee. I apologise on behalf of MHA for rebutting your decision to grant asylum. Please release him from detention and keep him on your shores. Cos here at SG, we love seeing good riddance to shit.

To conclude, this has been an interesting week where some news was good (AY, byeee!!), some bad (KH sibeh heng) and some really sad (St Petersburg, we'll pray for you in good faith. Where are the SG naysayers about that luggage left at Hougang station now? Anyone? Thought not.).

Signing off,
KJ

Fun fact: The best things in life are actually really expensive.