Invited Session: Food Republic

This is the first of the last three invited sessions that you will be reading on this blog. Thereafter, this blog will no longer be taking any more food tasting invites, for reasons that would be explained in further detail next week. For now, let us feast our eyes on what the latest addition to the Food Republic family at 313 @ Somerset has to offer us.

Nonya Chap Chye & Ayam Buah Keluak


The Straits Chinese Nonya Restaurant is one of four "mini restaurants" at 313's Food Republic and is run by the owners of Guan Hoe Soon, a notable Straits Chinese restaurant in Joo Chiat Place. In the couple of hours that I was here I spotted numerous orders of their signature Nonya Fish Head Curry and it did look quite good. The Ayam Buah Keluak meanwhile is a common Nonya dish and the rendition here was quite good with that balance of sweet and spicy.

Price: $6.80 for the nonya chap chye, $12.80 for the ayam buah keluak


Yong Tau Foo


For those who would love something healthy, there's always good ol' yong tau foo from Cuppage Plaza stalwart Orchard Yong Tau Foo. But, if you would prefer something unhealthy (whilst pretending to be healthy), go deep-fried and ampang at my favourite yong tau foo stall at Suntec City. [Price: $0.70 per piece (minimum 6 pieces)]

Prawn Noodles


I've not eaten much prawn noodles in my life, so I can't give much of a commanding opinion if this met the mark. Nevertheless, this bowl of prawn noodles from 3rd Generation Laksa and Prawn Noodles arrived hot and with a pretty enticing fragrance surrounding it. I also hear the hearty prawn broth comes with added collagen which is great for your complexion, interesting stuff. [Price: $4 / $6.50 / $8]

Mutton Gulai with Rice



Dapur Padang hails from West Sumatra and sure does serve a fairly authentic Indonesia-style curry. Most of the meat chunks I got were tender and a joy to chew on, while the thick gravy went well with white steamed rice. [Price: $7 (with rice)]

Stir-Fried Ma La


We are normally familiar with ma la soups but I personally think this stir-fried variation from Piao Xiang Ma La Xiang Guo is really quite good. Choose from a variety of seafood, meat and vegetable ingredients and they would whip it all up for you with the homemade ma la sauce, herbs, dried chillies and nuts, to name a few. This is definitely something worth trying if you like things spicy. [Price: Seafood: $5.50-6.50 per 100g / Vegetables: $1.50-$3.00 per 100g / Meat: $4 per 100g / Mushrooms: $4 per l00g]

Mixed Sliced Fish Soup


The mixed sliced fish soup from Ed's Fish Delights has always been a central feature of my meals at Food Republic outlets because of the delicious fish slices and tasty soup. If you find beauty in simplicity, this would be it. [Price: $5 (with rice)]

Chendol

After a hearty (and oftentimes, spicy) meal, do save some room for something sweet to keep everything in perfect harmony. Thick and creamy chendol works fine for me any day. [Price: $2.80]

Place
Food Republic, 313 @ Somerset, 5th Floor.

Additional Notes
1. Thank you Veronica and Food Republic for the food tasting invite :)
2. First picture property of Sixth Sense Communications.

Pictures taken with the Canon EOS 500D.