SIN: Tai Lei Loi Kei

Underwhelming signature pork chop bun...

It's been a while since I last went to Macau. Stumbling upon an eatery serving Macanese food while wandering about the B2 floor of VivoCity, I dragged my friend to have dinner there. Tai Lei Loi Kei's original branch is somewhere in Taipa, Macau, which has been serving its signature pork chop buns since the 1990s.

Besides pork chop buns, the eatery serves Portuguese egg tarts too.

Signature Pork Chop Bun S$6.90

Taste: 6.5/10

I'd harboured high expectations for the quintessential pork chop bun, which turned out to be rather ordinary. The pork chop was actually full of flavours, but not as tender as hoped. The buns were nothing special, In fact, they weren't crispy and a little bit hard to chew.

Curry Bouncy Noodle with Fishballs S$6.90

Taste: 6/10

Given the name of the dish, I was looking forward to the bouncy texture of the noodle. Alas, it wasn't truly so, but it wasn't too soft either. The noodle came with beansprouts, fishballs and a sunny-side up egg. The curry base was rather sweet, but it could be more savoury.

Creamy Butter Chicken Chop Rice S$8.90

Taste: 7/10

Probably more of a local dish, the supposedly chicken chop turned out to be chicken chunks instead. Cooked with onions and curry leaves, they weren't too shabby, although the sauce wasn't as buttery as those I've had elsewhere. On top of the rice sat a sunny-side up egg with runny yolk.

Portuguese Egg Tart S$1.50

Taste: 7/10

By the time I'd finished the savoury dishes, I tried not to have high hopes for the Portuguese egg tart. Apparently, it wasn't that crispy, although the pastry was quite buttery. The custard had the right degree of sweetness, though I couldn't say it was decadent.

Melon's Rating

Taste: 6.5/10

Ambience: 5/10

Overall: 6/10

It wasn't an impressive dinner for sure, but I'm still undeterred from visiting the original branch in Macau. Pika's advice: Not a fan of Portuguese egg tart? You may want to try a Macanese dessert item called Sawdust Cake that comes in three flavours: original, cookie or Milo. Each is priced at S$3.50.

Tai Lei Loi Kei

1 HarbourFront Walk

#B2-26A VivoCity

Singapore

(Daily: 10.00am - 10.00pm)

*Prices quoted are subject to 7% GST.

Have a nice meal,

Cliff(y)