Makan Kakis with Denise Tan

Biryani, briyani, biriyani, beryani. In Singapore, there are at least as many variations of the popular Indian-Muslim rice dish as there are ways to spell it and I got to experience two very different versions thanks to my Makan Kaki, content creator and Mediacorp Ria 89.7 DJ Zuhairi Idris. Find out the grandfather's stories behind these 2 heritage brand biryanis! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fresh from her Star Awards Best Actress win, Kym Ng joins Denise as a very special guest on Makan Kakis! On the menu? Bak Kut Teh! They learnt more about this local heritage food from two “Titans of Tea” - Ng Ah Sio & Pek Sin Choon. Listen to this podcast, read the story on CNA Lifestyle and watch Makan Kakis: Heritage Edition on demand for free via MeWatch now! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Familiar face from TV cooking competition King Of Culinary, celebrity chef SR Bala helps Denise widen her perspective at one of Singapore’s best known vegetarian institutions. At 100-year-old Indian vegetarian restaurant Ananda Bhavan, they share unique thosai and a hearty banana leaf meal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My Makan Kaki Chef Melvyn Lee and I visited the East Coast Road branch of Kim Choo Kueh Chang, home of the famous Nyonya rice dumpling. There, we met third generation owner Edmond Wong, who with his brothers, is committed to taking their grandmother’s food legacy to the next level. We tried wrapping kueh chang before tasting their bestsellers... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our Makan Kaki Chef Melvyn Lee takes us to visit Guan Hoe Soon, Singapore's Oldest Peranakan restaurant. But did you know it has Hainanese roots? Founded in 1953 by Yap Chee Quee, the restaurant is still family owned and run. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For my next food adventure delving into Singapore’s delicious history, my sights were set on Kampong Gelam, an area renowned for its many nasi padang restaurants. A popular choice for time-crunched Singaporeans in need of a satisfying meal, n asi padang may be is a quick and convenient meal for diners, but it begins with long hours of preparation and cooking. At nasi padang stalwart Sabar Menanti, the laborious commitment is anchored by a strong dedication to preserving their family’s culinary legacy. It was a happy coincidence then that my colleague and fellow foodie, Class 95 producer-presenter Catherine Robert is a friend of the third-generation owner, Iszahar Tambunan. Listen now for beef rendang, ayam bakar and the story behind their unique name! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Makan Kakis, this week I switch things up with a new Foodie Friend, Actress Bridget Fernandez and get schooled on Eurasian cuisine, another unique South-East Asian fusion of food and cultures. Along the way, I discover the story behind devil’s curry and taste something hitherto unknown at Quentin’s, where every dish tells a colourful story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Continuing our series on heritage foods in Singapore, Chef Melvyn Lee and I discover traditional Cantonese pastries at 4th generation-run Tong Heng in Chinatown. There, we tried our hand at making the best egg tarts I have ever tasted. The melt-in-the-mouth pastry holds one not-so-secret ingredient! Listen now! Or Watch here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the first episode of a new 10-part Makan Kakis series, in which my special guests and I discover heritage brands and local eateries that have been family-owned & run for generations. Chef Melvyn Lee & I kicked things off with a visit to a throwback from my childhood – Shashlik. This is a shorter version of the previous podcast, where we cut to the chase go straight to the food! For the CNA Lifestyle story, video and more, check here! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Denise & Melvyn fill you in on this new Heritage Food focused season of your feel-good food guide, starting with a visit to Russo-Hainanese stalwart, Shashlik! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mandy Kee from MasterChef SGS4 joins Denise in this podcast with her recommendation for perfectly seasoned, tender braised duck rice that sees long queues at its Serangoon Gardens outlet. For good reason! Listen for all the delicious details! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tina Amin isn't known as the Spice Girl for nothing! She tells us where she likes to go for her breakfast Lontong fix at a stall which also serves up mee rebus, satay & more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Hi Makan Kakis, winner of Masterchef SGS4 Inderpal Singh returns with another yummy recommendation from his Yishun 'hood. When the craving for nasi padang hits, he loves the selection from Coba Coba, where they do great nasi ambeng and nasi lemak too! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you love the flavours of Cantonese-style steamed dishes, you've got to check out this stall recommended by Top 3 finalist of Masterchef SG S4, Mandy Kee. She loves the steamed fish head for its freshness, delicate flavours and super-affordable price! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We welcome back our foodie friend and founder of one-stop online shop for all things durian, Josiah Seow of Golden Moments. This week, he tells us all about his favourite Ban Mian stall and I headed over to check it out. True to nature, besides his soupy recommendation, I ended up ordering MORE! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen as our Makan Kaki, private hire driver Alice Kee recommends Denise try a unique drink concocted by Uncle Jeffrey, who runs a drinks stall next to her favourite Whampoa ban mee stall! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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