Went to Canton Paradise (乐天小香港) at Junction 8 after praying at the temple. We were seated at two different tables, so each ordered their dishes separately. This Braised Peanut & Chestnut was the appetizer they placed on the table. Whole savoury peanuts with sweet chestnuts perked up the tastebuds as we poured ourselves the Glutinous Rice Pu-Erh Tea (糯米沱普洱茶).
We started off with the classic dim sum Siew Mai or Steamed Pork Dumpling (鱼子蒸烧卖皇). The pork and prawn filling with sprinkling of flying fish roe adding specks of colour is both meaty and wholesome tasting. Then came the Har Gow or Steamed Prawn Dumpling (笋尖鲜虾饺) with chunky succulent and crunchy prawn enclosed inside the translucent skin.
The Steamed Xiao Long Bao (上海小笼包) or soup dumpling is also another must order item. Pick it up gently with chopsticks into a soup spoon. Take a small bite in the dumpling skin and proceed to suck out the soup (beware, it's hot) then popped the whole thing into the mouth.
Initially wanted to try Ilao Ilao’s froyo but the line is sooo long, so I got tah-mee instead. Biscoff wins! This four day trip/convention is a series of cheat days. 😅
Chinese food cravings are also satisfied especially with Lugang Cafe’s claypot tofu and xiao long bao.
What's a trope that will almost always get you to read a book?
For me, it's fake dating. I absolutely love the it's-just-a-favor that turns into Real Feelings™. I eat that shit up!
I knew I was going to love Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee because it's in the title. And it didn't disappoint. In this Crazy Rich Asians meets Heartstopper YA rom-com, Dylan and Theo are absolutely precious and I would protect them both with my life! There's baking, swoony moments, rediscovering lost family mooncake recipes, learning about your heritage, and so many food references that will have you craving xiao long bao the entire book. Did I mention there's also a corgi named Clover?
If you're a fan of fake dating like I am, I highly recommend this wonderful debut by Sher Lee!