Evan of Evan’s Kitchen Ramblings has tagged me on five things I have eaten and think everyone should eat at least once before they die. Heheh. As someone who thinks about food 80 percent of the time, I am most happy to partake in this fun meme. So here goes my top five savory list:
1. PEKING ROAST DUCK
I have always loved Peking roast duck but the best I’ve had must be from Beijing. In fact, most of their Chinese restaurants serve this tasty dish and their standards are all very good. But the best is still from the famous Quanjude, the largest roast duck chain in Beijing. They have many outlets around Beijing and apparently the best is at Qianmen. Frankly, I’ve eaten there as well as their other outlets and I couldn’t quite tell the difference. Anyway, both my husband and I are plain crazy about Peking ducks. Once, he even lugged back FIVE freshly roasted Peking ducks all the way from Beijing! It was a miracle none of the fellow passengers complained about the smell.
2. DEEP FRIED OYSTER FRITTERS
Regular visitors to my blog will know I absolutely crave for oyster omelette. I love oysters of all sorts but the best type of oyster food I’ve eaten is deep fried oyster fritters made by my mum. Recently someone I barely know treated me to some oyster fritters she made and I have to say, they’re good! Like how my mum used to make, except with more Chinese chives. I told her she should make this for sale and I’ll surely patronise her stall everyday. Hahaha…
3. RAMEN
This is probably one of the reasons why I would like to live in Japan. Next to the fact that I could be nearer to Takuya Kimura of course. The best ramen I’ve had in Singapore was from a stall at Cuppage known as Ah Pui Ramen. Their Tonkotsu ramen was simply slurpilicious! Unfortunately, it folded up some years back. Now, if I want to go for good Ramen, it’ll be at Ichibantei and over there, I prefer their Chashu ramen which comes with extremely tasty stock.
4. SPANISH SEAFOOD PAELLA
I love most rice dish and I think I won’t be exaggerating to say that the Spanish Paella is one of the best rice dishes in the world. My first taste of this dish was at a restaurant we walked in at The Rocks in Sydney and it was love at first taste. The colour was gorgeous, the taste was rich and the abundance of seafood and shellfish was just overwhelming. A definitive gastronomical delight! In Singapore, I’ve tried this dish at Streeters down at 35 Keong Siak Road and it was very satisfying too.
5. DUCK THIGH WITH RICE VERMICELLI HERBAL SOUP
This must be one of the best herbal soup dish I’ve eaten. I ate it at the Princess Terrace at Copthorne King Hotel which serves a scrumptious spread of Penang fare. Known as ‘ark tui mee suah tng’ in Hokkien, this refreshing soup is made by boiling duck’s leg with Chinese herbs, including dang gui, gan cao, wolfberries and red dates. I’ve been trying to find it elsewhere but I don’t seem to have any luck. So whenever I get a chance to eat this at Princess Terrace, it’ll be no less than three bowls.
Okay, anyone game for this meme? No particular tags but do it if you like. Surely, you all like to eat right? 
I always tell you this, but your website makes me drool and want to eat everything in site!
BBM: Haha…that’s becos you only come back whenever I post about food.
Comment by Black Belt Mama — Fri, 1 Sep 2006 @ 8:26 am
I only tried the ramen you mentioned which was intro by you. True enough the ramen was yummlicious, oyishi nei.
Ashes: Ya lor, I remember I was eyeing all your ramen and regretted ordering the rice dish then.
Comment by Ashes — Fri, 1 Sep 2006 @ 8:26 am
Mmm… think I’ll pop by Streeters some day. The Paella I’ve tried in Singapore have often been fairly horrible - dyr, and lousy rice grain. Know what I mean?
MS: I hope their standard is still alright. The rice wasn’t that dry when I tried it last.
Comment by mother superior — Fri, 1 Sep 2006 @ 9:03 am
Duck thigh with rice vermicelli herbal soup - wow, this one sounds appealing..i’m sure i’ll try this!
Eileen: Very good I assure you. To die for one…
Comment by Eileen — Fri, 1 Sep 2006 @ 10:07 am
OK OK.. I’d eaten Ramen, and yes I love it, although may not be from the shop you mentioned.
Oh-jian in Singapore is the best, and it’s something I want to have everytime I go there.
Quanjude Peking Duck I’d also eaten.. and
Duck Tie herbal soup.. I love it also..
So 4 of your 5 are things I’d tasted and love them!!
Paella is something I don’t quite fancy. I still prefer the way Chinese do their rice. The Italian and Spanish way is not something I fancy.
So I can die a happy person now!
ZM: Hahaha…you must also share your top 5 then I can also check whether I’ll die happy or not leh…
Comment by zara's mama — Fri, 1 Sep 2006 @ 11:52 am
Frankly, I find Quanjude’s Peking ducks over-rated and highly priced compared to the other joints. Still, love the sinful fare.
DR: You’re probably right. But I guess it’s the well established household name that’s why. I’ve tried other lesser known joints and they’re not too bad. But then, psychologically, I still will go for Quanjude if I get to choose.
Comment by domestic rat — Fri, 1 Sep 2006 @ 2:12 pm
OK I guess 3 out of 5 ain’t that bad. Hehe … 2 more to go~!
Loong: Which 3 and which 2???
Comment by Loong — Fri, 1 Sep 2006 @ 4:25 pm
wow u did this already :p i love peking duck too! esp with the sauce + crepes. heavenly!! the oysters fritters sound interesting…whats the method like?
Evan: I think it’s just simply mixed with batter and a dash of chopped sprint onions or chives and deep fried. I saw some fresh oysters in the market the other day. Maybe I’ll try it out and if it’s good enough, I’ll blog about it.
Comment by Evan — Fri, 1 Sep 2006 @ 10:55 pm
I love the Ramen at Ichibantei! It is sooooo yummy! The black sesame ice cream is fantastic too - comes all the way from Hokkaido. Compare the ramen there to the crappy ramen I had at Aijisen last night. And the funny thing about dinner last night, there was a young couple seated nearby, the girl looked no older than 20 and had heavy make-up on, nails painted blood red and wearing a very low cut blouse showing half her boobs while the guy was wearing slippers. Obviously on a date. Only a young clueless girl would dress up so glam and have dinner at Ajisen! Just wear t-shirt and jeans lah! Or date someone richer who can take you some place more glam! ha ha ha! After dinner, I told my husband I will not eat at Ajisen again (only my 2nd time there), crappy low standard ramen and first date destination.
fuzzoo: I would rather buy a packet of those Japanese ramen from cold storage than eat at Ajisen. That’s how bad I think their ramen is.
Comment by fuzzoo — Sat, 2 Sep 2006 @ 1:00 pm
AIYOYO!! No wonder …. sure to die one lah! All the things you like will bring you earlier to the grave lah!!! Peking duck, oysters, seafood …all ingredients for heart attack!
Must change your diet lah, sesame. Even sesame is my favourite. I love sesame on my steamed yamcake. I can literally scoop up some sesame with a spoon and just eat it.
No wonder your fans love you…. your very blogname makes them drool with saliva.
ganchau: Aiyoh, don’t curse me lah. I don’t eat these stuff on a daily basis…and really, I find richer food tends to be tastier. And btw, I have no fans…only friends.
Comment by ganchau — Sun, 3 Sep 2006 @ 10:16 am
I hv tried No. 1, 2, 3 but not 4 and 5. And No.5 sound interestting to me :g
I think I not trying this meme… cos 5 ITEMS ONLY! WHERE GOT ENOUGH! ;P
wtpg: Haha…5 not enough ah? Then you do 10 or more lor…heheh…must share share good food mah.
Comment by wtpgrr — Mon, 4 Sep 2006 @ 12:55 pm