Satay in Singapore

Another item I had multiple times was satay. I wouldn't even call this a meal rather just quick eats. Generally costing about S$1 per stick, this again seems cheap. One interesting thing to note is that the translations are not necessarily very descriptive other than type of protein for an American. You get things like "stringy beef", "chicken waist", "flavor mutton" and stuff like that

Again it seems like these places are everywhere and easy to find. My experience was not any better than the others as they all had a good amount of red pepper and cumin seasoning. First picture was by my hotel in chinatown and were all good. There were 2 chicken, 2 beef, and 1 lamb. Second picture was by the Old Airport road hawker center and I had 2 pork, 2 pork belly, 2 beef, and 2 lamb. I didn't think the pork ones were great and actually didn't finish all of the pork belly ones. Maybe got some weird cuts unintentionally. Also not pictured was another street place where I had chicken and green beans. Both were good there

For sure would repeat getting these whenever possible. Just get a stack and call it a day. Very good and most places open late!

Chicken rice in Singapore

Had the iconic chicken rice twice while in Singapore - again both from hawker stands specifically Maxwell center in Chinatown

First was when I landed and was pretty late. Wanted to see if Tian Tian was open (famous, check google) but was too late when I got there maybe around 9pm. This other spot was open so got their set since I figured vegetables would be good. Not bad for S$4.50 - good portion of rice, veg, and chicken. As mentioned before, I think the rice is the best part of the dish. Capturing the chicken flavor is quite amazing and I still remember the first time I had the dish in Vegas of all places. I could eat bowls of that rice. Chicken was decent, slightly dry but they try to enhance that with a little soy sauce. Think this place was called Maxwell or something like that (across the seating area from Tian Tian and closer to the front)

A few days later based on conversations and reviews, I visited Tian Tian's again, this time actually arriving early so not to miss it. Heard the lines can be up to 2 hours and wanted no part of that. Unlike Hawker Chan, this place didn't even really have people roaming around it until 5-10 mins before it opened. I didn't want to be first so just sat at a table as people came by. Ultimately was about 15th in line and easily got through it with the medium order for S$5. Again loved the rice and the chicken was better than day one. Juicier and they also put a sweeter, slightly thicker sauce on it that I think actually does enhance the flavor. Worth the quick wait here? I would say so. Worth 2 hour wait? Probably not

Overall impressions of the dish were basically the same as when I got there. Rice is great, chicken is chicken. Perhaps Tian Tian would shine more if I had different places side by side like when I had chick-fil-a and another chicken sandwich together and could really tell the difference. But measured independently I wouldn't necessarily know the difference from one to the other. I wonder if others could tell...my guess is not and are more focused on the name brand. So for sure try this which is easy cause there are so many places that make it and determine for yourself.

Lunch in Singapore

Not even sure if this would be considered lunch but rather a second breakfast?? Quite thirsty so I decided to go to the Chinatown hawker center to grab a sugarcane drink. And of course check out some food. Walking around I notice there is a preliminary queue setting up for this one stand that opened at 10:30 (note the time which is why it could be second breakfast)

I grab a sugarcane drink S$1.80 with "less ice" and it is pretty good. Sweet as you may imagine but not sugary. More syrupy. And the ice thing is weird, it costs more for less ice. Which makes sense because more raw product used, but I think the opposite of the milk tea which was more for the ice. Weird but we are talking 30 cents here. Me personally would probably take more ice and get it cold, but good either way

By this time, the line has actually formed for the stand (Hawker Chan) rather than people just standing around. I may as well join and see what this place is. I am like the 20th person in line. A guy joins the line behind me and is clearly not local (non-Asian) and starts taking pictures. So I ask him what's up with this place. Well it is the worlds cheapest Michelin star restaurant. Who knew! So while we are waiting we are talking about random stuff and he is from Czech Republic covering the WTA matches for the week. Turns out he is a big Red Wings fan due to Hasek, Hudler, etc. So that's cool, helps the 20 min wait fly by

As far as the food itself, yes it was S$2 which is incredibly cheap. Drink cost the same amount which is pretty funny. But the soya sauce chicken with rice was just that...soya sauce chicken with white rice. Not chicken rice, but white rice. Didn't really love it, skin was pretty good but as I have discovered eating another round of chicken rice that is that I do not like chicken on the bone unless it is fried chicken. Had decent flavor I guess but wasn't anything special. Certainly wouldn't wait an hour for that plate unless I really only had $2. I thought maybe I was just being too critical but Miroslav (the sports reporter) said the same thing. Then another non-Asian couple that was in line in front of us were leaving and I flagged them down for their opinion. Same thing. Maybe I should ask more Asian people I guess...

Anyways the stall is in the Chinatown hawker market. If you go in the main entrance, go up the escalators (I didn't realize the food stalls were upstairs since all there was on the main floor was textiles) and it's basically in the middle left of the layout. Not great instructions but just find the line and you're there. Try it for the experience I guess

Breakfast in Singapore

Jet lag so was up early (relative for me) but it was already light out. Figured i should hit the number 1 photo op early so headed out to the Merlion. Interesting. Not surprisingly there were others out already and got to check out the sunrise over the Marina Bay Sands. Pretty cool. Hung out there just checking out the people; there was an audible gasp when the fountain went on and then another mad scramble for photo ops

Then headed into the downtown area which is a short walk away. Not sure if I lucked out or what, but I was in some building that had a bunch of food stalls. It seems at least in this area the common breakfast items are noodles with various sides (chicken balls, fish cakes, eggs to name a few). So tried all 3 noodle varieties - one soft rice which is basically like pancit, one chueng fun style, and one chow mein style. All were good, I preferred the cheung fun then chow mein I think due to the grease. Quite a bit as well, actually didn't finish all of it but in my mind there are many other foods to try during the day. Also had a chicken ball in a wonton wrapper (didn't love, was ground chicken I guess??) and a fried pork-ish product that was basically spam with a little more sautéed-ness. Also fried egg. Not a bad breakfast - quite inexpensive as well at S$3.80. Literally the cold honey milk tea that I had to buy at another stall for S$2 was almost as much. However not sure if influenced by the humid conditions, but have rarely had a milk tea quite so good. Very tasty and see myself having a few more before I leave. Refreshingly sweet and savory together, however I do think the weather conditions played a part

Overall not bad. No idea what the stand was called or even the building I am in right now but it's attached to the Que Link coming from the water. Also leaving now as the place is getting busy and people are sitting typical Asia style all over the place

Rheinfelder Bierhalle - @@@

Food was good, World Cup experience was even better. Went here for the final France vs Croatia more like found this place. Was walking around Zurich looking for a large outdoor watch party but by the time I got to the place (it was an Island) the place was packed. So walked around and ducked in here. Got really lucky because as soon as the match started it rained really hard. Great choice

I had been looking for some schnitzel the whole trip so went with the pork schnitzel with rösti, even though their specialty was cordon blue. I just like how the meat is still tender but crispy on the outside - I literally had schnitzel for 3 straight dinners when I got back to the states! This one was good as well. Crispy yet tender and reasonably juicy still with a touch of lemon as well. Solid. The rösti was essentially hash browns even more so this time as they were not in a patty. Oh well I like fried potatoes so no problem there. Also had a local beer which was great during the game

Again found this place just walking around old town. The prices were actually really reasonable for Zurich and can imagine this place is usually busy. Couldn't really tell since there were so many people watching the match; there was also an outside seating area but no TVs so no one was out there once it stopped raining. I would for sure get the jumbo cordon blue next time I'm there as that also looked really good. I guess Swiss food can be categorized as fried meat/potato and I don't mind at all!

Niederdorfstrasse 76,
8001 Zurich, Switzerland

Zeughauskeller - @@@

Finally getting a chance to catch up on some reviews from the Europe trip a little while ago. Went to this place that is reasonably famous in a touristy part of the city. This place is in an armory which is pretty cool. Eating lunch with swords, poles, crossbows, and assorted other memorabilia shows how old some of the sites are - supposedly the building was built in 1487!

I read in Zurich they have a local dish called Kalbsgeschnetzeltes nach Zürcher Art - which is basically pan fried sliced veal and mushrooms in a creamy white wine sauce. Zurich specialty supposedly. Served with a side of rösti. So the dish was pretty good, tasted and reminded me a little like stroganoff without noodles. That type of consistency, a bit creamier rather than tangy. Wanted to remove the mushrooms but figured it was authentic. It did come with additional portion as well which is the pan on the top left which was kept warm with a burner underneath, a good bonus. Veal was good, but in sauce so couldn't tell the actual quality. Slices were kind of skinny for me but in general was tasty. The rösti was basically a giant hash brown so if you like fried potatoes then you will enjoy. Note it is pretty big and filling. One thing I didn't love was that the two items didn't really mix well (such as if I had rice with it instead). Individually they were pretty good; there was no enhancement for eating together

Overall cool place that served decent food. Would recommend checking it out, it does for sure cater to tourists as the menu is in like 10 different languages. I was also interested in the pork shank and beef that came out on a sword. It is in one of the main areas so very easy to find.

Bahnhofstrasse 28A
8001 Zurich, Switzerland

Sternen Grill - @@@

So this is an interesting review. The sausage here was ok, but am actually giving it more credit due to the history than the outright food. Just the sausage was ok, honestly would probably give it a 2 however the numerous "best of" lists artificially has me give it a 3. I will explain

Still recovering from jet lag, I was a bit groggy as I headed out to this place. Was a quick tram ride from the hotel on the 4 line; it is right at the Bellevue station where many trams stop. I was prepared to do take away, but also noticed many self seating areas outside which was great cause it was nice out.

Their most popular is this St Galler bratwurst with spicy mustard which I promptly ordered. This is the left kind of sausage on the grill. Took that and a beer to the outdoor area where there was plenty of space. So what they do is just give you the sausage, I think you could get some bread for an extra €1 but noticed most people just ate the meat. The meat itself is interesting in that the consistency is smooth rather than sausage in the US that can tell is ground. It is like all mixed up in one consistency vs the noticeable fat/meat ratio in the US. I don't like this style as much but think it is normal here (breakfast sausage similar) so this not knocking it that much. It is definitely leaner/more lean tasting than US. Also I think flavor is more mellow than I am used to with a certain spice I can't detect (maybe sage??). But this is where the mustard comes in. As not as strong as the sausage is, the mustard definitely is. Heavy amounts of horseradish, it definitely hits you in the nose. Notice in the picture they only fill the cup maybe a fourth of the way, this is absolutely enough.

So there you go, dipping sausage in mustard as dinner/snack in the comfortable Zurich night. Again couple influences skewed higher - good rankings by guessing people more familiar with this type of meat, condiments unique flavor, and foreign conditions. I would not say do not try because I think this is a place that is accurate with local food. I would try the red sausage next time as it looks to be kielbasa style, but cannot be sure. There also appeared to be a few other kinds on the grill but at ~€7.50 per link they can add up quick!

Theaterstrasse 22
8001 Zürich, Switzerland