Grilled Chicken Noodles at Chop Chop – Affordable Asian Quick Bites

Looking for an affordable and satisfying meal? Chop Chop at International Plaza delivers with their grilled chicken noodle bowl.

What’s in the Bowl

This takeout meal features a generous portion of green noodles (likely spinach or herb-infused) as the base, topped with well-seared grilled chicken slices that have a beautiful caramelized glaze. A whole piece of fresh bok choy is placed on top, providing a crisp vegetable contrast. The noodles are scattered with what appears to be crushed peanuts or sesame for added texture and flavor.

Presentation

The dish comes in a standard foam container with clean, simple plating. The components are nicely stacked to create visual separation—the vibrant green noodles provide a striking color contrast against the dark caramelized protein and pale green bok choy. The fresh bok choy positioned on top suggests careful assembly to maintain its crispness.

Value for Money

At SGD 4.80, this noodle bowl offers excellent value with generous portions and quality protein preparation. The combination of colored noodles, grilled protein, and fresh Chinese greens reflects a modern Asian quick-service style, making it a great option for a quick, affordable meal.

Egg Prata from Springleaf Para Place: Crispy Flatbread Review

I recently visited Springleaf Para Place to try their egg prata, a beloved Indian subcontinental dish that’s become a breakfast staple across Southeast Asia.

What is Egg Prata?

Egg prata (also spelled paratha) is a thin, crispy flatbread typically filled with egg and folded into sections. It’s a popular street food found at casual dining venues and food courts, particularly in Malaysia, Singapore, and India.

The Dish

The prata arrived on a simple stainless steel plate, neatly arranged in overlapping triangular folds. The bread displayed a golden to medium-brown color throughout, with darker charred spots indicating consistent, thorough cooking.

Texture and Appearance

The surface showed impressive crispness with defined crinkles and folds characteristic of properly prepared prata. The bread appeared dry rather than oil-saturated, maintaining excellent structural integrity. The visible texture suggested careful cooking technique and attention to detail in preparation.

My Thoughts

While the prata was clearly well-cooked with that coveted crispy exterior, it was a little too crunchy for my personal taste. The level of crispness may vary depending on individual preferences—some may find this level of crunch ideal, while others might prefer a slightly softer texture.

The Setting

The casual table setting and minimal plating reflected a quick-service dining environment, perfect for a casual breakfast or snack experience.

Pad Woon Sen (Glass Noodle Stir-Fry) from Terlur Thai

Terlur Thai serves up a stunning pad woon sen, the beloved Thai glass noodle stir-fry that delivers authentic flavors and satisfying textures in every bite.

What’s in This Dish

This classic Thai preparation features:

  • Glass noodles — Translucent sweet potato or mung bean noodles that become slightly caramelized during wok cooking
  • Protein — Diced chicken or pork distributed throughout the noodles
  • Fresh aromatics — Vibrant green onions and julienned ginger providing bright, pungent notes
  • Carrot strips — Thin julienne adding color contrast and subtle sweetness
  • Crisp lettuce — Served on the side as a cool, refreshing complement

Presentation & Preparation

The dish arrives on a modern dark plate with subtle ridging that provides striking contrast to the warm brown tones of the wok-cooked noodles. The noodles show signs of proper high-heat cooking with slightly caramelized edges and color variation throughout, while the fresh garnishes are vibrant and recently added. The lettuce is presented as an accompaniment, allowing diners to create their own flavor and texture combinations with each bite.

About Pad Woon Sen

Glass noodle stir-fries are a staple of Thai street food and casual dining, representing the central Thai cooking tradition. The delicate, translucent noodles absorb the flavors of the wok-tossed ingredients while maintaining their characteristic chewy texture, making this a beloved comfort dish across Thailand.

New York Strip – TGI Friday’s

We went to TGI Friday’s in I12 Katong Mall a few days ago. It’s the Christmas season so it’s expected that the place would be really crowded, but to my surprise, it still had a lot of free tables. We were offered a seat smack in the middle of the restaurant. I asked if he could offer us a better table, he just shrugged his shoulders that seem to say, “either take it or get the hell out of here.” Of course he didn’t actually say those words, but I felt it was implied. We were already very hungry so I just shut up and took the table.

I wanted to order the Rib Eye with certified Angus beef but decided otherwise as there were signs on the menu that marked which were the popular orders and the Angus beef was not one of them. We ordered the New York Strip Steak with broccoli and  fries and a half-rack of baby back ribs. I opted to have my steak medium rare. We also ordered bottomless ice lemon teas.

When my order came, the waitress asked me if it’s cooked to my liking. I sliced a small piece and noticed that it was a bit cooked more on the medium than rare. I didn’t really mind it since I was really very hungry at that moment and told her it’s just fine.

I used to like TGI Friday’s food. Now, it seems like they’re getting worse. The broccoli was overcooked. It’s so overcooked that you could crush it just by using your tongue and palate. The fries were saggy and unhappy. It looked like they were recooked. The bottomless ice lemon tea wasn’t so bottomless after all. You would have to get their attention to have a refill. The problem is that the staff seem to have attention disorders. It’s impossible to get a refill.

Overall, the experience is disappointing. I’m not surprised that there isn’t a  lot of people eating here. I myself won’t be coming back to this place in the near future. I really hope they would improve their quality of food and service soon.