Story and photos by Dr. Michael Lim The Travelling Gourmet TM
Copyright all rights reserved
All photos are of real food with no photoshop
The indomitable and implacable Travelling Gourmet TM goes to…
MASSIVE Downtown East to try Taiwanese Street Food…Tea Valley is the brainchild of Lawrence Lim who is actually an IT graduate of the University of Birmingham in the UK. Modest and unassuming Lawrence told me candidly, ” On my business tirps to Taiwan, I developed a liking for Taiwanese Street Food and later I decided to start Tea Valley in 1999.” Tea Valley now has 4 outlets in sunny Singapore, but the one in Downtown East is the ONLY one that serves a Mini Steamboat with corn, vegetables and other yummies. I relished the signature dishes like Sesame Chicken in a claypot which has 2mm thick slices of old ginger which I liked. The special seame oil used is imported from Taiwan. So are the teas…like fragrant and refreshing Rose Honey Jasmine Tea served in a cute clear glass pot with matching teacups and little rose buds inside. I also like the ice cold Bubble Tea! I particularly like the sweet sour and tangy passion Fruit Jasmine Bubble Tea with the chewy “bubbles” that look like Salmon roe! It is not so sweet unlike some other Bubble teas. Nowadays, people like desserts and drinks that are not cloyingly sweet for health reasons. Other comfort food dishes which will give your tummie a nice warm feeling are the Silver Needle Mushrooms which are super-crispy Enoki mushrooms deep fried with a special blend of Tempura flour. Deep fried Squid is the Taiwanese answer to Italian Calamari Fritto. There is also the Taiwanese version of good ol’ Japanese Karaage that is, deep savoury Fried Crispy Chicken. Hot and Sour Noodles with Mushrooms and Bamboo Shoot batons is very filling and…suprisingly NOT hot or spicy! I think it needs some more “pow-derful” Chilli Oil! Tea Valley is not a fine dining place bus as a diner commented cheerfully, “It is nice…like a Taiwanese Tea House!” I agree! Come here for wholesome comfort food in a casual atmosphere. Bon appetit! 🙂
Tea Valley@Downtown East
01-05A
1, Pasir Ris Close
Singapore 519599
Tel: 65833055
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