HEY! Magazine Feature – I ate my way around NTU!

I graduated from Nanyang Technological University – Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information – in 2009. Nope, I didn’t study journalism in school (that explains my atrocious English lol). I did broadcast media, and spent my four years carrying heavy cameras, editing videos, as well as doing radio and studio production. But my journalistic opportunity came when I intern-ed for a Chinese food magazine, and that kicked off my blogging journey as well.

During my school days, I always chilled out at Canteen A because there was a super good and cheap Japanese food. Food in the university is already decent then and we would always take a shuttle bus to different halls to eat. Sometimes, we would visit the NIE canteen to queue for the super long queue bak chor mee.

But due to the distance, I haven’t gone back to my alma mater after graduation. So when Derek Rodriguez wanted to do an interview for HEY! magazine, I thought it was the best time to go back to school and try the new eating spots!

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
The New World Cafe
Address: N2.1, #01-01
Tel: 64686801
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 8am – 9pm
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

When I was about to graduate, Sakae Sushi was built. Unfortunately, it didn’t last and was replaced by The New World Cafe. Recreating a marche style eating place, each diner is given a card which records your order. After finishing your meal, you can pay the bill at the exit.

It was raining when I arrived at NTU on a December afternoon and I was craving for some warm food. I arrived at The New World Cafe and was recommended to try the cze char here. Even though the red-hot fiery gravy is oily on the surface, it is tangy and moderately spicy. It was light enough to drink or drizzle over my rice. The prawns in salted egg yolk is light, not complaining since it is only $9.90.

P/S There is even Peach Garden in NTU now, WOW!!!

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
The Quad Cafe
School of Biological Sciences, Level B1 [map]
Tel: 67958831
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7.00am – 9.00pm; Sat 7.00am – 4.00pm
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

We took a short walk to the School of Biological Sciences for our second round at Quad Cafe. I had the kimchi soup ($4) which honestly had nothing to shout about.

I was more impressed with the yong tau foo stall next to it. So this was the stall formerly from Canteen 2 (even though I don’t eat YTF when I was in Canteen 2). If you want something healthier, of course go for the soup one. But what’s unique is the stir fried option. I ordered a plate of maggie mee with some YTF ingredients and beef ($6.50). Although the beef was slightly tough, there was enough wok hei for the dish to be enjoyable.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Canteen 2
Address: Hall 2
Tel: 63683353
Opening hours: 7.00am – 9.00pm daily
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

I used to stay in Hall 11 and the canteen was pathetic. So I would always take a shuttle bus to Canteen 2 for dinner at night. Can’t remember if ayam penyet ($4.50) was already around during my time, but I always try to eat clean by ordering from the fish soup stall because they have fried egg.

This time round, I tried the ayam penyet and I am happy to announce this is my favourite dish for this food trail. By now I am really quite full, but I cannot stop digging into the fried chicken with crispy bits. Many ayam penyet is dry but here, the flesh is quite tender and moist. The sambal belachan was moderately fiery and made my lips tingle with pleasure.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Pioneer Food Court
Address: Pioneer Hall
Tel: 67958831
Opening hours: 7.00am – 9.00pm daily
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

My final destination was the canteen at the new Pioneer and Crescent Halls. Wah this is totally new! I I decided to end my makan trail with some Thai appetizers. The mango salad ($5.50) is spicy enough and the thai fish cake ($6.50) is hot and juicy. My second choice after the ayam penyet!

Wee Kim Wee School of Communication & Information has taught me how to communicate with people from all walks of life. Be it journalism or broadcast specialty, there are many projects which we needed to be vocal and work with outsiders. So I really love to talking to hawkers/restaurant owners and share their story. Thank you HEY! Magazine for giving me the opportunity to go back to school. It brings back memories of my school days and I am really happy to see how NTU has transformed for the better (they are even building a retail mall, omg!).

CLICK HERE to read the entire article at HEY! magazine.

Credits: Food photos by me / human photos by HEY! Magazine