My Grandma’s Place 外婆家
Quick update: I have not met Chi Sao and Mike Tang in a while. Mike’s wife had delivered their firstborn, a son, about two months ago. How times flies! Chris said he has not done food photography and joined us on this ocassion.
I had wanted Peranakan cuisine but Chi Sao complained that the restaurant on the east side of Singapore was too far so we decided on Katanashi for some izakayas but their information was not updated. When Chris the first to arrive at the restaurant in Boat Quay found out that it was closed on Sundays, he gave me a text message. Relaying that message to Chi Sao and Mike had us scrambling from our respective locations and re-route to Chinatown, where nice food would surely be found. Chi Sao suggested My Grandma’s Place 外婆家 for Sze Chuan (Sichuan) cuisine 四川菜 or Chuan Cai 川菜 or short. We walked the old streets but couldn’t locate the grandmother so we consulted the mobile map.
Old streets of Chinatown.
Walk towards the OG building and we would arrive at our destination (on the left side).
Mosque Street, Chinatown, Singapore.
I took the shot of this building outside My Grandma’s Place.
We had no reservation but tables were available when we arrived. Lunch crowd was over, if there was any in the first place. We walked to the end of the restaurant and had a table for four, made ourselves comfortable and started to browse the menu. Chi Sao recommended spicy “Water-boiled” Fish 水煮鱼, “Saliva” Chicken 四川口水鸡 and Dongpo Pork Ribs 东坡排骨 and I chose Szechuan Pork Slices with Garlic Chilli Purée 蒜泥白肉 and Deep-fried Pig’s Intestines 香炸(乾煎)大腸. We also wanted the Pumpkin Pancakes for dessert later. And yes four bowls of plain rice please, that would be nice 🙂
The “Saliva” Chicken 四川口水鸡.
Wouldn’t it sound better as “Mouth-watering” Chicken?
The “Saliva” Chicken 口水鸡 sounded grotesque with its literal translation (that’s why Bing or Google translate fail) but it actually meant that this dish is so delicious it would make one’s mouth waters.
“Water-boiled” Fish 水煮鱼.
“Water-boiled” Fish 水煮鱼 is a spicy dish of fish slices cooked in water and covered in a thick layer of chilli oil.
Front then clockwise:
Szechuan Pork Slices with Garlic Chilli Purée 蒜泥白肉, “Water-boiled” Fish 水煮鱼 and “Saliva” Chicken 口水鸡.
Szechuan Pork Slices with Garlic Chilli Purée 蒜泥白肉.
One of my favourite Sze Chuan appetizers.
Deep-fried Pig’s Intestines 香炸(乾煎)大腸.
Deep-fried Pig’s Intestines 香炸(乾煎)大腸.
This dish came with two dipping condiments – Chilli powder and flavoured salt & sesame seeds.
Dongpo Pork Ribs 东坡排骨.
Dongpo Pork Ribs 东坡排骨.
See how tender the meat was that it ripped at the seam.
Pumpkin Fritters or Pancakes. Other’s but was put on our table by mistake.
Tucking in the food after a food photography session.
My AWESOME lunch kakis (companions).
I have done several posts on the scene behind food photography one or two by Calvin and some my own. Today I would like to show you why I enjoy these “makan” (eating) sessions with my photography buddies. Firstly, we are all prepared to eat cold food. Secondly, no one thinks you crazy if you stood on a chair to get a required shot. Thirdly, someone will always clown around and make the gathering an unforgetable one!
This photo was taken by Benny Ng at Mei Heong Yuen on another ocassion. He said he was shocked when I stood on the stool but recovered when I asked him to take a shot of me at work, lol… Btw, we’ll be going to MHY for dessert after this.
This makan session’s standup comedy by Chi Sao goaded by me.
Our eating/photo sessions are always full of fun!
While I was posing for Mike to take a picture of me, Ci Sao was making funny faces at Mike. In the meantime, Chris was…
Chris took a picture of me while I was posing for Mike and…
And here’s the shot taken. Photo courtesy of Chris.
This is what we do at our sessions. We took turns to shoot, turning the dishes for angles we deemed best. With the boys around me, I felt brave enough to ignore the gawks of other diners.
But people living in Singapore understand the trend of food photography.
Then we consult each other (actually just me since I’m the noob) and re-take a shot if necessary.
So now you know how my pictures came about and why I love eating with these groups of people 😉 It’s time for dessert! See you on my next post.
My Grandma’s Place at Mosque Street, Chinatown, Singapore.
Interior of My Grandma’s Place.
My Grandma’s Place is value for money. I do like the food and the service. The two boys chorused the Dongpo Pork Ribs as their favourite on our table while Chris favoured the Water-boiled Fish. Chi Sao said that whenever we visit a Sze Chuan restaurant, we should try the Water-boiled Fish as different restaurant serves this dish with a different degree of spiciness which some could even render our tongues numb. Only then can we decide our favourite Sze Chuan restaurant. Hmmm… spoken like a true food connoisseur. That said, the boys gave an average of 8/10 for My Grandma’s Place.
We spent S$80.20 for four persons including tea for all and 2 cokes.
My Grandma’s Place
Address: 3 Mosque Street,
Singapore 059484.
Phone: +65 6226 3809
Happy eating 🙂
That’s funny! Everyone taking pictures of the food. Lol! That’s how everyone probably looks at me when I go out to eat.
Taking photographs of food is a serious passion in Singapore. It’s almost like saying grace before meal times, lol…
What a great outing. Yes, cold food is the norm, but that’s okay. Did you know that’s how chefs typically eat? We rarely get to eat the food hot out of the oven/off the stove.
And the “Saliva” chicken? HAHAHAH! Google translate scores again. Thank you for posting, Sam. What fun you had with your friends.
Only when I go out with my photographer friends do we take the time to shoot. Otherwise food is still eaten warm if not hot. Yes we did have a good time and am looking forward to more of these sharing sessions. A lot of brain picking for me 😀
Great photos. I would never have thought to stand on the seat so I learned something from you.
That’s because i’m too short, lol…
Saliva Chicken and water boiled fish is a like a staple dish that a must order at all sichuan restaurant. I love the dishes from Sichuan Dou Hua,
I am still waiting for my very busy friend to go to Sichuan Dou Hua. I think it’ll be 2 months from now 😦
you are beautiful impressive blogger
Thank you Robert. I’m trying 😀
you try well 😉
😀 😀 😀 Big hugz!
delightful! 😀
That looks like SO much fun! And you know, Sam, you are really really good at what you do. You could do this professionally or teach it. It isn’t easy to photograph food, I know I’ve tried and it always comes out not looking as good as it tastes. Maybe more practice…eating AND photography!
Lol… Laura, you’re so kind! I love going out with the photography groups (different members). No one minds my slow compositions. Most of them are very funny too. They are all very helpful and I get to pick their brains (not for braising) on photography tips each time we go out. 😀
I’m officially jealous!!! 🙂 of all your outings I think I like this restaurant the best, forget about the name that chicken looks delicious, my mouth is watering 🙂
I was a little skeptical when I entered the restaurant but I’m really happy with this. I may go back and try their claypot dishes. 😀
You are getting me hungry again ….as usual. I like those outside photos too, pretty scenery, very inviting. Thanks for the share Sam! ~~ David Tong