Star Yong Kwang @ Alexandra Village Food Centre

As part of the first media trail to savour local favourites for the Singapore Food Festival, we were treated to Zhi Char at Star Yong Kwang BBQ Seafood at Alexandra Village Food Centre.  There is always a lot of confusion between Alexandra Food Centre and ABC Food Centre (or Brickworks ABC Food Centre at Rumah Tinggi nearby).  Anyway, this is the one nearest to Queensway Shopping Centre, adjacent to Ikea @ Alexandra.  Do not be confused again.

Deep Fried Shrimp Paste Chicken Wing

First up, we had the crispy chicken wings.  Mid-joint lovers would love this chicken wing dish.  It is a little short of the shrimp paste taste but otherwise still a good order for some good old chicken wing!

Pork with Salted Egg Yolk

Just the sight of the porky dish makes me salivate (yes, even when I am writing this).  I love pork + salted egg yolk = heavenly combination of a dish I would love.  The pork was very tender and the potent salted egg yolk just let the dish oozes with so much flavour that I had an additional helping, not sure if to someone’s detriment!

Crispy Cereal Prawns

If I never recall wrongly, the first time I had cereal prawn, it was in Malaysia.  But I never quite like it until I have it back home, where it seems that most places added chilli padi for added punch, sugar for taste to the cereal and curry leaves to make it more aromatic.  I never quite fancy cereal prawns because I am a “sauce” person.  This dish is too dry for me.  But otherwise this prawns are still good and they are pretty huge too!  Must be worth the price.

Star Clams* (La La)

For the lack of more innovative name to this shell fish dish, I call it Star Clams – because the name of the store is Star.  Hey, if Star Yong Kwang adopts this name, I claim royalties on this!  OMG this La La ought to be one of the best I have tasted.  It tasted spicy from the chilli, but together with the garlicky and peppery sauce, it brings out the freshness of the clams very well.

Star Yong Kwang Sambal Sting Ray

I have written about this particular sting ray on my previous post of Singapore Food Festival.  Although it is quite some time back I still remember one distinctive fact, i.e. I love the sambal.  It is not overly spicy such that it choke your nose, but it is still full of the spices taste.  There is plenty of flesh of the fish and they are so soft and decadent.

Picture above is owner Mr Eng Boon Har together with this son who has been helping in the store since 12 years old.  He is quite cute and kept asking how was the food and if there is anything that can be improved!  No way, we are far more amateur compared to him being a young apprentice since young.  He has graduated from a local polytechnic, and currently serving National Service; he will carry on the good work of his dad by holding the helm and wok of Star Yong Kwang.

May the Zhi Char trade in Singapore continue to flourish so that we can continue to enjoy restaurant food at hawker prices!

Star Yong Kwang BBQ Seafood
120 Bukit Merah Lane 1,
#01-04 Alexandra Village Food Centre,
Singapore 150120
Open daily: 4pm to 11pm

Check out more favourites at the following links:

Apa Kitchen @ Marina Square Food Centre for Rojak category

China Street Fritters @ Maxwell Food Centre for Ngoh Hiong category

Sakunthala’s Food Palace @ Race Course Road for Nasi Briyani category

Thondamans Indian Muslim Food @ Norris Road for Roti Prata category

Jin Jin Hot/Cold Dessert @ ABC Brickworks Market for dessert category