Monday, April 14, 2008

Pig-out @ Tiong Bahru

The friends got around to organizing a pig-out at their favourite zhi char joint in Tiong Bahru.

I cannot make out the name of the place: there are several shop signs above their front door. They do not have business cards to hand out either. The friends said they have been coming to this place for years, but never knew the name either. So much for sound research and background information from me :)

The place is bare walls and naked light bulbs. Sit outside. It is a lot more atmospheric. And you get a great view of the eating frenzy going on at its famous neighbour, Sin Hoi Sai in Block 55 (above picture).

There is no menu either. The boss lady/order- taker tells you what they have that night, and then proceeds to tell what you will like to have. She will also decide for you how many dishes and what size order is enough for your party.

But all this unconventional protocol is forgiven once the food hits your table. Everything they do is superb. It is real, it is old-fashioned, it is honest. You cannot get better zhi char than this.

No wonder the friends have been coming to this place for years and willing to put up with the total absence of polite niceties. I, too, am now a convert.

The zhi char place is located at Block 57 Eng Hoon Street in Tiong Bahru.

5 comments:

Suzie Wong said...

Madam, it's Sin Hoi San, even spider knows this place, so who needs the menu there? Lol

sinlady said...

suziewong - oops. my mistake. picture shows Sin Hoi San. the zhi char place shares the same lane at opposite end of Sin Hoi San. but wah! spider knows Sin Hoi San! so impressed. i diddn't. haha

wildgoose said...

Oh I think i know this place, but was there so long ago, I don't remember how it functions. Just that it has yummy food. :)

eatdrinkplayjunkie said...

looks interesting. didnt know singapore has a 'no name' restaurant! somehow your post makes me miss bangkok.

sinlady said...

wildgoose - food is yummy so just go and let the lady boss tell you what to eat :)

edpjunkie - actually there were "many names" (signs) rather than "no name". you come with us once so you can understand why i did not bother to ask which name is the zhi char business. they people really the bo chap and no hue type.