Durian SG Prime – Durians From The Mountains [MEDIA INVITE]

Durian SG Prime is the latest durian shop and durian delivery that enter the Singapore market. Its operations started in June 2022, located in Lor 24A Geylang, just opposite the popular Yong He Dou Jiang. Durian SG Prime offer Pahang durians from exclusive mountain plantations that have never been seen before in Singapore. Durian SG Prime slogan is Cheapest – Quality – Guaranteed.

Durian SG Prime shop

Durian lovers in SG will know that the best Malaysian durians sold in Singapore comes from Pahang. Pahang itself is a very big state, with its mountainous terrain, it is a perfect place to grow and produce the best durian. Durian SG Prime durians come from three locations in Pahang. The Famous Tiger Mountain, Indigo Hill Mountain and Cold White Leaf Mountain.

The Famous Tiger Mountain, Sungai Klau, Pahang. Famous for its Ah Gong tree, dated over 103 years, while the rest of the 250 natural trees in the region are more than 40 years old. This area is known to produce Mao Shan Wang / Musang King Grade A durians and D24. With the MSW Grade A, you can expect a condensed and throat-sticking meat texture, with a bitter and sweet taste. The ultimate durian experience for durian lovers.

Black Gold from The Famous Tiger Mountain Old Tree

Indigo Hill Mountain is a short drive away from Indigo Hill Resort, East of Raub, Tras Pahang. This area is known for its red colour soil that is very fertile. Most of the durian trees are above 45 years old. This region is home to newly discovered durian plantations and it houses over 200 mature durians. This area is known to produce MSW Grade A & B. The MSW will have a thick flesh that will stick to your mouth and a small seed. The flavour is strong, with a bitter-sweet flavour.

Cold White Leaf Mountain, Klau River Pahang. The age of durian trees here are between 20 to 60 years old. This plantation near Klau River is also a fertile grown to grow durians, as the soil contains a lot of minerals. This area produces D24, Tekka, Classic MSW and award-winning MSW. For the MSW Grade A, you can expect a creamy texture of durian, with the signature MSW bitter-sweet taste.

When we visited their shop, they have 3 types of durians available. The first one is a regular MSW. On that day, it was priced at $18/kg. The shape of the durian is not whole round, but with an odd shape look. It is creamy and bitter with a sweet aftertaste. The flesh is thick, while the seeds are mostly thin and flat.

Regular MSW 

Mini Seeds from Regular MSW

The second one that we tasted is the Black Gold MSW from the Famous Tiger Mountain Old Tree ($38/kg). The shape of the durian is round, plump and without blemish. The colour of the pulp is an inviting dark yellow colour, almost like gold. When we bit into the flesh, it was dense and easily stick to our throat. It tasted bitter, with an alcohol tinge and ended with a sweet flavour. This is the taste that durian lovers search for in a durian. In other words, the taste is just awesome. Yummy, die die must try!! It was so good that LD insisted on buying one for her BFF, in which she also give her thumbs up.

Black Gold MSW from The Famous Tiger Mountain Old Tree

The seed, regular size

The Price

The third durian available that day is Old Tree MSW ($28/kg). We did not try it as we are too full, however, from the shape, it looks like a high-grade MSW.

Old Tree MSW

Durian SG Prime gets its supply directly from the plantations and bypasses the agent / middleman. With these cost savings, they can offer the price lowest price in the market when comparing the same grade of durians. Their grand vision is to Bring Durian’s Price in Singapore Back to 1980.

For online orders visit: https://duriansg.com.sg/durian-fruit-mochi/

Durian SG Prime is committed to delivering the best durian to you. They deliver island-wide base on a two-hour time slot and also offer express island-wide delivery. If the durians are not up to standard or damaged, you are eligible for a free replacement within 24 hours of receiving your order. Free Delivery for orders above $99.

Durian SG Prime Delivery Packaging

Check out their Youtube clips on their website on the source of their durians and some tips to identify Durian SG Prime Grade A MSW or different grades of MSW.

CBK Verdict: One of the best durians that I tried this year. The Black Gold MSW from the Famous Tiger Mountain Old Tree is an experience to behold and you will have durian lovers salivating for it. Die Die Must Try!! Cheers!!

Thank you very much Durian SG Prime for hosting us and the yummy durians.

Durian SG Prime

24A 456 Geylang Road

Singapore 389415

W: https://duriansg.com.sg/

F: https://www.facebook.com/duriansgprime

IG: @Duriansgprime

OH: Daily 10.00 – 01.00

Information on the origin of the durians extracted from Durian SG Prime website

Grand Mercure Roxy – Feast Roxy Buffet is Back [MEDIA INVITE]

Feast Roxy buffet is back. Yes, the favourite buffet restaurant in the Marine Parade neighbourhood is finally ready to treat guests with Feast Roxy buffet delights. The buffet is available on Friday, Saturday for lunch and dinner, while the Brunch buffet is available on Sunday.

Feast Roxy - Escalator Entrance

Feast Roxy - Lift Entrance

The spread includes a mix of Asian and western appetisers and hot dishes, live stations consist of supersize satay, crispy pork knuckle, carrot cake, oyster omelette, noodle stations and other dishes on rotational basis. Not forgetting the signature durian power, ice cream and potong ice cream and hot desserts.

Vol-Au-Vent Mushroom Cream Cheese

Assorted Sushi

We visited Feast Roxy for the Friday night buffet dinner and here is our must-try list.

Chilled Prawns

Chilled Seafood: Oysters, Crayfishes and Prawns. The oysters are fresh, plump and juicy. While the glossy red colour prawns are sweet and crunchy. I must admit, the crayfishes were not super wow, but you can mix it with your laksa to create a lobster-esque laksa.

Chilled Crayfishes

Oysters, Prawns & Crayfishes

Stuffed Tau Pok with Honey Garlic Chicken Meat. One of the signature dishes in Feast Roxy. I remember eating this during my visit a few years back. It has a crunchy exterior, followed by juicy and sweet mince chicken meat. I can easily pop a whole plate of this on one go.

Stuffed Tau Pok with Honey Garlic Chicken Meat. 

Sour Pickled Mustard Duck Soup. This soup is super delicious and comforting and it really opens up your appetite. The sourness in the robust broth just hit the spot, while the duck flesh is surprisingly juicy and fork tender. Probably the best dish of the night and the most underrated one. LD and I went back for seconds on this soup alone.

Sour Pickled Mustard Duck Soup

Supersize Satay. They are double the size of the satay you find out there. It comes in chicken and mutton. The marinade is sweet and just right, while the thick satay sauce is great. The chefs cook it till the satay has a nice charred externally.

Satay Station

Chicken & Mutton Satay

Crispy Pork Knuckle. I just can’t say no to those crispy crackling. It is crispy externally, followed by juicy meat. Though it is good, I think it can be better if the cracking is crispier and the flesh juicier. It is served with sweet roasted sweet potato, grilled capsicums and spicy dark soy sauce.

Crispy Pork Knuckle 

Crispy Pork Knuckle with Sweet Potato, Capsicums & sauce. 

Crispy Crackling

Noodle Station. We tried the laksa and chicken feet noodle. The laksa is the winner here. The broth is rich, aromatic and spicy. It comes with a smaller prawn compared to the size of the chilled seafood prawn but it is not deshelled. I think they should serve it with deshelled prawns, to make it easier to eat. Meanwhile, the egg noodle in the chicken feet noodle is thin, eggy and QQ. The chicken feet are juicy and crunchy with a hint of mala spiciness at the end.

Chicken Feet Noodle

Laksa with Chilled Prawn

Hainanese Mutton Stew with Chicken Rice. A surprise discovery. The mutton ribs are juicy and succulent with a subtle mutton gaminess. Cooked with water chestnut, carrots and beancurd skin, it created a multi-texture dish and the overall flavour is very comforting. The seasoning is a bit heavy, so you might want to avoid the gravy. The chicken rice is fragrant, aromatic and filled with chicken flavour. A nice combo to end the savoury selections.

Hainanese Mutton Stew with Chicken Rice

Desserts: Signature Durian Power, Apong Bohkua with Gula Melaka Banana Sauce and Kaya Cream Puff. I eat it in reverse order. The kaya cream puff is light and fluffy, while the kaya fillings just hit the spot. The Apong Bohkua has a strong fermentation but is nicely covered by the gula melaka banana sauce. The Signature Durian Power is just superb. The texture is light yet it is bursting with durian flavours. Not to be missed for durian lovers.

Kaya Cream Puff

Apong Bohkua with Gula Melaka Banana Sauce
and Kaya Cream Puff 

Signature Durian Power

Signature Durian Power - my portion 

Coffee and Tea are included in the Buffet. I decided to treat myself to an affogato. Yumz!! A sweet ending to the evening.

Coffee & Tea Station

CBK - Affogato

The décor of the restaurant is modern, functional and filled with Peranakan décor. The place is filled with family and group diners, enjoying the return of Roxy Feast Buffet.

Part of Dining Area - For Executive Lounge

Table Mat

Overall, it was an enjoyable and pleasant meal. As a long-standing buffet restaurant in Marine Parade, Roxy Feast served a good quality buffet, with a good mix of western and local favourites. We recommend the Sour Pickled Duck Mustard Soup, Chilled Seafood, Stuffed Tau Pok with Honey Garlic Chicken Meat, Laksa and Signature Durian Power. Cheers!!

Alcohol Selections

Roxy Feast Buffet Pricing

Friday Meat Lovers

Lunch, 12pm – 2.30pm, $48++ (adult) $25++(child).

Dinner, 6 pm – 9.30pm, $58++ (adult) $30++ (child).

Saturday Seafood Galore

Lunch, 12pm – 2.30pm, $48++ (adult) $25++(child).

Dinner, 6 pm – 9.30pm, $58++ (adult) $30++ (child).

Sunday Brunch Buffet

Lunch, 11.30am – 3.30pm, $58++ (adult) $30++(child)

For enquiries, contact Feast Roxy at 6340 5665 or email h3610-fb3@accor.com. All prices are subject to 10% service charge and prevailing government taxes.

Black Pepper Chicken Chop

Grilled Beef Steak with Green Pepper Corn

Thank you very much Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy for hosting us.

Salad Station

Salad Dressings and Condiments

Fruits

Hot Dessert, Fruit & Tea

Food & Drink: 7.5/10

Value: 7.5/10

Service: N/A (Tasting Invitation)

Ambiance: 7/10

Budget per Person: $26 - $50; $51 - $80

Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy

50 East Coast Road

Roxy Square

(opp. Parkway Parade Shopping Centre)

Singapore 428769

T: +65 6340 5665

W: https://www.grandmercureroxy.com.sg/dining/feast-roxy

F: https://www.facebook.com/GrandMercureRoxy

IG: @Grandmercuresingaporeroxy

OH:

Eat & Meet

All- Day (Mondays-Thursday), 12.00pm to 9.00pm (Last order : 8.30 pm)

All-Day (Sunday Dinner), 6.00pm to 9.00pm (Last order:8.30pm)

Gossip Bowl

(Mondays - Sundays), 12.00pm to 9.00pm (Last order : 8.30 pm)

High Tea

(Mondays-Thursdays), 2.30pm to 5.00pm

Buffet & Sunday Brunch

(Friday, Saturdays & Sunday Brunch)

Buffet Lunch (12pm to 2.30pm)

Buffet Dinner (6pm to 9.30pm)

Sunday Brunch (11.30am to 3.30pm)

DurianBB – Durian Master Class [Media Invite]

Are you a durian lover? Or have you ever wondered about the origins of Malaysia’s pungent thorny fruits that you can resist? Or what does this magical number mean D13, D24, D160 or D197? Or possibly you want to avoid a bad experience with that notorious durian seller? If the answer to any of the above questions is YES! This Durian Master Class by DurianBB is for you.

DurianBB Singapore

LD & I, together with a few “Makan Kakis” were invited to attend a Durian Master Class by DurianBB at their Singapore shop / classroom recently. At first, I thought it was just another tasting session, however, I was only half right.

DurianBB Mascot

Map of DurianBB Durians

The Master Class is conducted by Grand Master, Dato Paul Mak, Founding President of the Malaysian Durian Exporter Association also one of the founders of DurianBB in Malaysia and Singapore. While DurianBB has its farm in Raub, Pahang, DurianBB Singapore also bring in durians from all part of West Malaysia.

Durian Grand Master, Dato Paul Mak

While Dato Paul started his introduction, we started to tuck into DurianBB Musang King Gelato Bar. Made from 50% Musang King Flesh and 50% Italian Gelato. It is smooth and creamy, while the durian taste is more on the subtle side. I find it is missing the signature “Durian Smell”, like those in Durian Pengat. Having said that, it does not taste or smell like artificial durian flavouring added to it. It is suitable for those that want to try real durian ice cream but cannot “tahan” (withstand) the smell.

DurianBB Musang King Gelato Bar

DurianBB Musang King Gelato Bar

At the beginning of the course, Dato Paul will take you through the introduction of DurianBB, a brief history of Durian in Malaysia starting from Durian Kampong to cross-breeding of durian trees, the meaning of those magical numbers D13, D24, D160 or D197 and how that durian nicknames come about.

DurianBB Durian Passport

DurianBB Durian Passport

We are then served with a tasting platter. Usually, the tasting platter only comes in 5 types of durians. This time, we were quite lucky to have 6 types of durians. We are supposed to eat it from left to right, as with each pulp, the complexity of the durian will increase. While we are tasting the durian, Dato Paul explains to us the origin and characteristics of each durian on the plate.

Tasting Platter

1st pulp - D78 Sweetie

So instead of chowing down those delicious pulps like there is no tomorrow, it is good to take your time and savour the texture, flavour and experience like a durian connoisseur.

2nd pulp - D88 Darling

3rd pulp - D2 Dato Nina

Our tasting platter includes D78 Sweetie, D88 Darling, D2 Dato Nina, D16 Tekka, D24 Tan Sri XO and D197 Musang King. Sweetie and Darling are the sweet type of durian with a less complex texture. D2 is one of the oldest durians ever registered, however, it is probably the closest to the taste of durian kampong. D24 and Musang King are well-known in Singapore. Surprisingly, D160 Tekka is the most unique and complex for this round. It has a crispy bottom, moist in the middle and you can taste the fermentation in the pulp.

4th pulp - D160 Tekka

5th pulp - D24 Tan Sri XO

6th pulp - D197 Musang King

The Seeds Size

For the finale, Dato Paul will take you through a quick quiz just to recap the class and for the graduates, you will get a certificate. If you fail, you can always retake!! (Just kidding).

Graduation - YES!!

For me, the DuranBB Master Class help me to get to know more about the fruits that we are eating. It is an interactive class and you can ask Dato Paul questions along the way. He is not shy about sharing his experience and knowledge. Overall, it was an enjoyable 1-hour session and it helps me to understand more about the King of Fruits!!

DurianBB Master Class

Where: Durian BB, 462 Crawford Lane, #01-65 S190462

When: Every Saturday at 4PM (Please check their website to confirm)

Duration: 1 hour

Cost: $58nett (inclusive DurianBB Musang King Gelato Bar, Tasting Platter, Certificate & Enhanced Durian Knowledge)

How to Register:

Visit https://durianbb.com.sg/product/durianbb-master-class/

Or Contact +65 9245 0788; or email: Singapore@durianbb.com

Try Your Luck at DurianBB Claw Machine

DurianBB also sells fresh durian, durian delivery, durian party, curated menu such as pastry, cake and drinks made from durian. There is also retail durian flavoured products, souvenirs, complete with their mascot Derek & Bella. Check out their website for more details.

DurianBB Retail

Thank you very much DurianBB for the invitation.

DurianBB

462 Crawford Lane

#01-65

Singapore 190462

T: +65 9245 0788

W: https://durianbb.com.sg/

F: https://www.facebook.com/durianbb.sg/

IG: @durianbb.sg

OH:

Sun – Thu: 14.00 – 22.00

Fri – Sat: 15.00 – 23.00

Closed on Monday