Nestled in the bustling Smith Street Chinatown market lies an open secret known to those in the know - the "Claypot and Cooked Food Kitchen".
Their doors may have been closed for a while, but the heart of East Treasure never stopped beating.
As the ruby-red hues of the Oddero Barbera d'Alba Superiore 2021 danced in my glass, I embarked on a culinary journey at OSO Italian Restaurant.
Returning to Sodeng for their new lunch offerings was like reuniting with an old friend whose warmth never wanes. The centrepiece of the meal, a Korean Beef Soup ($56 for 2 pax), was a testament to the art of slow cooking.
Our lunch at Red Star was a journey back in time, a culinary escapade that married the nostalgia of the past with the thrill of the present.
It was a meal that turned into an experience that I will remember fondly every time we crave a burger done just right.
This is a Zi Char place that sits comfortably above average but does not quite match the fanfare it has received online based on this visit.
From the crackle of the BBQ lamb skewers to the rich, creamy embrace of the lamb collagen soup, Chuan Yang Ji (川羊记) weaves a tapestry of flavours that is a veritable feast for the senses.
It is clear that KEK is not just a meal, it is a Tze Char experience that scores in every possible way.
Imagine a symphony of colours and aromas wafting through the air as you unwrap the "Bunkus" of Nasi Kandaq Bantal, gifted by warm-hearted neighbours.