Just Acia Pasir Ris

Just Acia, Pasir Ris

Photograph: Just Acia's Teriyaki Chicken Set.

We visited this family-friendly restaurant at Downtown East recently. Just Acia in Pasir Ris is a restaurant that I visited for the first time.

I tried the Teriyaki Chicken set meal at Just Acia, Pasir Ris branch as I liked Teriyaki chicken and that would serve as a comparison to the same dish that I've tried in other restaurants in Pasir Ris and elsewhere in Singapore.

Just Acia, Pasir Ris branch Teriyaki chicken set came in a big plate with golden strips of deep fried chicken coated with a glossy layer of teriyaki sauce. Besides the teriyaki chicken, it came with miso soup, plain rice (not Japanese grained) and a bowl of kim chee.

I liked Just Acia's (Pasir Ris branch) chicken as the seasoning was pretty sweet, with the meat in a firm yet not rubbery texture. The coating on the chicken was just about crunchy even though it appeared a little thicker than dishes served elsewhere.

Besides the main set, at Just Acia Pasir Ris branch, you get to drink an unlimited serving of a wide selection of drinks. There is also a self-service free-flow of ice-cream included in the price.

While the dish is not the best I have tasted, considering the size of meat served, together with other dishes in the set meal, plus the unlimited drinks and ice-cream all in one price, it is definitely value for money.

Recommendation for Just Acia teriyaki chicken:
Score: 7 out of 10.
Price $9.90 per set.

Durian Mooncakes

Durian Mooncakes

With the mooncake festival round the corner, I was keen to sink my teeth into some durian mooncakes. At one of the shops next to the Wild Wild Wet attraction at Downtown East in Pasir Ris, I tried Emicake's Durian Mooncakes recently to satisfy my moon cake urge.

The Durian Mooncakes came in various sizes, at different prices. As it was my first attempt to taste these durian falvoured mooncakes, I sampled the smallest servings as an initial taste test.

These Durian Mooncakes had a very soft 'skin' that wrapped around an even softer core of chilled durian cake. The rich flavourful aroma of durian was unmistakable, the sweetest that I have tasted for a mooncake. I liked the creamy-like texture of the mooncake although the snow skin on its outer crust was fairly unremarkable.

Durian Mooncakes recommendation:
Score = 8 out of 10.

Chicken Satay Downtown East Food Centre

Chicken Satay Downtown East Food Centre

Photo: Chicken Satay from Downtown East Food Centre


The Chicken Satay that I sampled at Downtown East's single storey non-airconditioned Food Centre was not as good as I expected.

There were about 8 to 10 stalls at this food centre serving similar food. So I had expected competition to raise the culinary levels, especially for a common dish like chicken satay. Besides, spouse and I noted quite a number of patrons at this corner stall. Like what most patrons would have thought, the more customers, the better the food. Big mistake!

I felt the Chicken Satay at this Downtown East Food Centre was a letdown because of several reasons. The main culprit was the satay peanut gravy. We had two bowls, one was oily and dilute, the other was more concentrated. But the concentrated peanut gravy was still rather dilute. It lacked the oomph that I had grown accustomed to. While sweet, the peanut bits were too refined and uncrunchy.

The chicken satay meat was rather small, less than what I had expected for 50 cents per stick. There were several burnt bits that I had to tease away. That reduced the amount of protein even further. The real test was in the tasting and it lacked the robustness and crunchy dynamism that I expected.

Recommendation For Chicken Satay Downtown East Food Centre
Score = 4.5 out 10

New York Ribeye Steak

New York Ribeye Steak

I ordered the Ribeye Steak from New York New York restaurant at Downtown East for the first time recently. As is usual for my steak orders, I always ask for the beef steak to be cooked "medium". I chose the mushroom sauce.

Presentation of New York New York's Ribeye Steak was just adequate. The layer of brown mushroom sauce covered most of the beef steak. The side dishes were presented in a simple manner on a clean white plate.

Their Ribeye Steak was cooked to the style that I liked. My first bite revealed the succulent soft beef. The texture was similar to shabu shabu beef, except that these were much thicker slices. Some bits of firm tendon at the edges could be discerned but it did not spoil the smoothness of the steak.

I found the mushroom sauce rather ordinary. It somehow lacked the freshness and taste of fresh mushroom. It's degree of saltiness in the seasoning was a little beyond my usual liking.

New York New York's Ribeye Steak side dishes were a letdown. You can see these side dishes in the photographs. Those potato wedges were coated with too much seasoning. With that much salt, I fear the extra work my kidneys will need to perform to get rid of it from the system.

Anyway, the test of a good ribeye steak dish is always in the beef. Nobody orders beef steak because of the side dishes. Don't you agree?

Restaurant Address:
New York New York Restaurant
Downtown East E-Hub
1 Pasir RIs Close
Level 1

Recommendation For New York Ribeye Steak:
Score = 7 out of 10 points.

Bacon Wrapped Enoki Mushroom

Bacon Wrapped Enoki Mushroom

If you think all mushrooms look and taste the same, try these Enoki Mushrooms wrapped with bacon at Downtown East's Nihon Mura restaurant. Their Enoki mushrooms - those long white skinny ones that look like tau-gay (bean sprouts) - taste well with the juicy bacon strips.

At first glance, I wasn't really impressed with the bacon wrapped Enoki mushrooms. Specks of black (I think its the burnt bits that came off the pan) dotted the six pieces of bacon that hugged the enoki mushroom as if trying to strangle them all. To add insult, a satay stick was used to pierce the bacon and mushrooms!

One bite of the bacon wrapped enoki mushroom and my negative thoughts were banished. The initial taste came from the salty part of the bacon with each release of sweet juices as I chewed on the stuff. The enoki mushroom complemented the bacon with its fresh bland taste. At the same time, the springiness in the enoki mushroom was evident with a firm almost rubbery texture that went well with the firm bacon bits.

This chewable combination was a pleasant sensation, akin to chewing aromatic and high quality bubble gum. Best of all, the healthy mushroom took away the sinfulness of eating fatty bacon streaks.

I like my bacon firm yet chewy with a lard-like fragrance, which is not what many people can tolerate. This bacon wrapped enoki mushroom exceeded my expectations.

Recommendation:
Score for Bacon wrapped Enoki Mushroom = 7 out of 10. (could be higher score if the presentation improved, minus the specks)

Korean BBQ Chicken Restaurant: Charbroiled Chicken

Korean BBQ Chicken Restaurant: Charbroiled Chicken

The Charbroiled Chicken, as presented at the Korean BBQ Chicken Restaurant, is one of the best tasting grilled meat I’ve tasted. Two slices of charbroiled chicken are presented on a white oversized plate shaped like a leaf. Besides the charbroiled chicken, there’s a large serving of yellow fries and two tablespoonfuls of coleslaw. The presentation of this charbroiled chicken at Korean BBQ Chicken Restaurant may look simple but inside this charbroiled Chicken is a commendable culinary delight waiting to be unleashed.

Main Dish
I bite into the charbroiled chicken at Korean BBQ Chicken restaurant. The skin of the chicken chop holds mysterious herbs and spices that offer a wonderful blend of sweetness. A chewy soft pleasant sensation greets my mouth when I chew on it, yet it does not betray with that familiar feeling of oiliness. The flesh of Korean BBQ Chicken Restaurant’s charbroiled chicken comes in such a tender state that it gives way easily under the gentle bite of my teeth.

Side Dishes
The Korean BBQ Chicken Restaurant’s yellow fries side dishes that follow the charbroiled chicken are nothing to shout about. Their carbo taste of French fries is familiar like other fries I’ve tasted. Yet it blends well with the sweetness of the charbroiled chicken. I do not really fancy coleslaw, as I do not possess a sour tooth.

Korean BBQ Chicken Restaurant
Korean BBQ Chicken Restaurant has a clean, bright, spacious and fully air-conditioned setting. A variety of seating arrangement is available. From curved cushion sofa seating around a round table to rectangle tables with sofa seats, this modern Korean-themed eating place seems a popular watering hole for families and couples. It is fully certified as halal according to MUIS. Their halal certificate is hung prominently near the cashier.

Recommendation & Rating:
Charbroiled chicken, Korean BBQ Chicken Restaurant: 8.5 out of 10.

Summary of comments:
Charbroiled chicken taste excellent.
Halal dish.
Higher score if charbroiled chicken portion larger.

Address, Map & Location of Korean BBQ Chicken Restaurant:
E!Hub Downtown East, Pasir Ris Park

Price of charbroiled chicken at Korean BBQ Chicken Restaurant: $ 13.90 before GST

Downtown East: Wild Wild Wet Singapore

Downtown East: Wild Wild Wet Singapore

We saw the Wet & Wild water attraction in Pasir Ris Park’s Downtown East. Did you know that it has the highest flume ride in Asia? This new water-based attraction will certainly offer visitors to Singapore’s Downtown East a wild wild wet ride.

Each Flume Ride can carry two passengers. Only passengers above 1.2 metre tall can ride this wet and wild rollercoaster. What's a better way to enjoy a thrilling ride than lots of wild wild wet water action? This splashy and wet and wild ride in the Pasir Ris Park’s Downtown East will leave children and adults an unforgettable wild and wet experience.

Would you want to join in the fun at Downtown East in Pasir Ris Park for Singapore’s version of the Wild Wild Wet?

Read more on Wild Wild Wet Singapore here.

Explorer Kid Club, Indoor Playground at Downtown East

Explorer Kid Club, Indoor Playground at Downtown East

I walked past the indoor playground of Explorer kid club at Downtown East. Looks like a big children's playground that is located indoors. It occupies 8,200 square foot of retail space at E!Hub in Downtown East, Pasir Ris.

The Explorer Kid Club with its large indoor playground inside e!Hub of Downtown East entertains kids with fun and games. It is designed to stimulate children's imagination and push them to learn.

The indoor playground consists of 20 fun play elements. Besides the indoor playground things, the Explorer Kids club also has a lighted ball pool, a multimedia platform, internet kiosks. A cool hangout for kids, parents and teachers.

Location and map at E!hub @ Downtown East, Level 3
1 Pasir Ris Close, Singapore 519599

Operating hours:
Monday to Friday: 12 pm – 10 pm
Saturday, Sunday, Public Holidays and School Holidays: 10 am – 10 pm

Admission fees apply.

With strong air-con, this place is a very cold indoor playground at Downtown East. The other thing that is holding me back from using it is the fear of getting hand foot and mouth disease. I guess if sick kids are screened and barred from this place, I might bring my children to visit their indoor playground.

Japanese Food at Downtown East Pasir Ris

Japanese Food at Downtown East Pasir Ris

I love to eat Japanese food and I heard it's the favourite foreign cuisine amongst Singaporean stomachs. My current favourite restaurant is Nihon Mura at E!Hub Downtown East in a corner of Pasir Ris, which opened recently.

This cozy little restaurant tucked at the highest level of E!Hub in Downtown East offers a plethora of famous japanese dishes. Don't expect to be presented with a traditional menu here. After you are urshered to your table, grab a cup and head straight to the buffet spread. There you will find one of a tag which comes in a wooden stick like the ones doctors used to stick into your throat with the Teriyaki chicken don written on it. Collect this tag and any others that you wish to order into your cup. Once you're done with your menu selection, present this tag to the cashier and wait at your seat in this japanese restaurant. In a while, the dish you ordered will be presented to the table.

My current favourite japanese dish is the Teriyaki Chicken Don. It comes in a piping hot bowl that will burn your japanese rice if you do not scrape the bottom regularly. Even so, some grains of japanese rice still gets burnt but that just adds to the unique flavour. It's almost like eating claypot japanese rice!

The Teriyaki sauce gives a pretty shiok zing to the bits of chicken slices. The crust is rather crunchy with a soft springy core that leaves the mouth full of Teriyaki taste. I particularly like to savour these slices without the japanese rice, so as not to dilute the flavour.

A raw egg sits on the top of this bowl of japanese rice. If you press it with a spoon, the yolk will burst out of its sac and soak into the japanese rice. Once it reaches the hot metal bowl, it will cook rather quickly and relinquish an eggy aroma that sends my salivary glands into overdrive. I prefer to mix the raw egg evenly throughout the rice and sort of fry it like in a frying pan.

No adjective can adequately describe the unique experience of eating this Teriyaki chicken don. Even as I write this post, the rush of saliva forming up in my mouth is making me swallow more frequently than usual. Mmmm... perhaps this weekend again...