Raffles Place (68-70 Johnston Street, Collingwood) is another old time favourite places to eat while we were living in Collingwood/Brunswick. It looks a little old and rundown but strangely enough, it has an old skool Singaporean charm. The restaurant is divided into 2 parts, the kitchen & the dining area. The walls are painted pink and is lined with old colonial photos of Singapore and write ups from Elizabeth Chow. The furniture is old and colourful but it just gives this place a lot of its character. And of course, Alan the owner, he is quirky character himself. You can sometimes hear him talk politics with some of the regulars here. I feel totally at home and can rock up with burns & thongs when the weather is warmer. And once I hear spoken Singlish, it feels like I am back in Singapore! 
Old Raffles Place
We started with the Lobak. I have to say this is one of the best Lobak in town and better than many back in Singapore. Lobak is made from tender chinese spiced pork slices wrapped in delicate beancurd skin and deep fried. It is one of my favourite Chinese entree or starters. I posted 2 photos of the Lobak as it was absolutely delicious. The skin had a light golden crispness and the chucky pork filling is subtly seasoned with five spice. The filling is moist & tender that it needs little effort to bite through.
Lobak
A bite of the lobak
I love the caramelisation of thick black soya sauce. So I ordered the fried carrot cake or chai tau kueh. Fried carrot cake is not made from carrots but from finely shredded radish that is made into little cubes by mixing it with rice flour and seasonings. The fried carrot cake has good wok hei, thus giving this dish a deep caramelised flavour and smokey aroma. It is sweet & savory on a plate.
Fried carrot cake or Chai Tau Kueh
Mister ordered a plate of Hainanese chicken rice. This was a let down. First it was served with coconut rice instead of chicken stock-flavoured white rice. Plus the chicken was rather dry and quite bland. Hainanese chicken is known to have slippery skin and super moist and soft meat. It failed and we were disappointed. Hopefully it was just a bad “chicken” day.
Hainanese chicken rice
And how can we not order the teh tarik (pulled tea). The balance between condensed milk and tea must be right to give it the deep flavour that it is known for. Uncle Alan mixed it in a plastic jug and poured it into 2 glass mugs at out table. It created a slight foamy top. It was a little thin on flavour but it is really an aquired skill. Keep it up Uncle Alan
Teh tarik
Old Raffles Place have been here for a long time and many regulars still come here to enjoy some of Singapore’s hawker favourites. It is one of the places that we will come back from time to time. I believe it is still an old hangout for many Singaporeans & Malaysians in Melbourne.
My kinda meal!!! Yum!
A reminder of home. I like
My sisters-in-law visited Singapore in summer 2008 – maybe next time I’ll join them so that we can all check out this spot. Everything looks amazingly delicious!
Hey sweetie. This place is actually in Melbourne but if you are in Singapore, even better! Before you visit Singapore, let me know. I will give you a list
i remember they have rojak there right? Still have it?
My personal fav is still Malaymas. they got kickapoo softdrinks!!YAY!!!
Not been there for ages but want to check out My Restaurant though.
Oh my gosh….just all the food that would bring me to cloud 9. I feel like I need to fly home now. So mouth-watering!!! Lobak…..never to be missed!
You should babe! I must go back for the lobak!!
omg, this post makes me anticipate my trip back home next month. I haven’t been back home for so long, any recommendations on where to eat? *feels like a little fob*
Are you going back to Singapore? I shall email you some places
All good sweetie!
Your pics are terrific and the food looks wonderful.
Thanks Miranda! Food looks and tasted great!
I’m coming with you next time on your next dinner.
One of my favorites is Hainanese Chicken. It’s really simple but I think I could eat that everyday. And I want to make those teh tarik too. But I don’t think I’m pouring it between two glasses. What kind of tea do they use?
If you ever come to Melbourne, I am more than happy to take you around and eat. Black tea is used with condensed milk. Will you try making it?
I just got very hungry by looking at all of those amazing dishes you ordered! I would love to visit Singapore someday and try out many awesome restaurants they have to offer!
that lobak looks yummy ^^ the skin looks crisp. yeah, the Hainanese chicken rice looks so boring, sorry. we’ll definitely call you when we go back to melbourne.
Yes to all of it please! I have such fond memories of Singapore Hawker food-sitting in the sweltering heat and eating food in a concrete food court.
I wouldn’t mind trying this place, but I won’t order the Hainanese chicken rice. Noooo coconut rice for me with this one!
@Jessie – Asia is a beautiful place and the food is so vibrant, rich & colourful
@Short and Bald – The hainanese chicken rice was a disappointment. At least, they served great lobak but this place also serves fantastic chilli crab
Must pre-order!
@Lorraine – The heat and the humidity can sometimes be frustrating and a hindrance to the eating experience. But it doesn’t stop me!
@ICS – The char kway teow is good too!
check out the cafe in doncaster, straits cafe..you may like it..
Yes. I have heard about it. Will check it out. Thanks for this