pianomania

Friday, 19 June 2026

IKAN BESAR SKALI @ ESPLANADE CONCOURSE

Has one noticed a whale hanging around Esplanade over the last couple of months? That is none other than Ikan Besar Skali (translated from Malay as "fish of monstrous size") by local artist Hu Qiren. His inspiration was the beloved old blue whale skeleton that once occupied the second floor of National Museum (formerly Raffles Museum). As a kid of seven, that 13-metre-long skeleton was a marvel of natural history that I always looked forward to when visiting the museum. And it was free too!

Our old whale skeleton,
sold out by some bureaucrat!

Imagine the disappointment when I later found out that the skeleton was given away by the Singapore Science Museum during the mid-1970s because it had "no space for it". Bah, humbug bureaucrats, and while we're at it, bohong and bollocks! Anyway, a smaller sperm whale was found dead off Jurong Island in 2015, and it has become the pride of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum.

Jubi Lee, the mascot of LKCNHM
(no relation to the Lees of Oxley Road)

Anyway, this gleaming silvery exhibit at Esplanade Concourse occupies the background and serving as a backdrop to its many free concert. After passing it many times, I decided to take a closer look and what a glorious beast it is, and here are the photographs. Such is the glory of evolution, and nobody should ever tell me that fitted in Noah's Ark unless they are also trying to sell me the Eiffel Tower.

IKAN BESAR SKALI

Esplanade Concourse

On until 5 July 2026

Ikan Besar Skali - Esplanade

Thursday, 18 June 2026

SUKA MAKAN: STRAITS CHINESE NONYA @ ESPLANADE MALL

After the consecration of the Tan Kah Tee memorial eucalyptus tree at Esplanade's garden, the party made its way to what is perhaps the most iconic restaurant in Esplanade Mall - Straits Chinese Nonya Restaurant by Guan Soon Hoe, one of Singapore's most well-established nonya foodie haunts. Those who love Peranakan (Straits Chinese) food enjoy the taste and generous portions it serves.

Mrs Tan thanked her true friends
for being by her side during troubled times.

Our host, Mrs Catherine Tan, opened two tables for her close friends and ordered two set dinners for the throng. This included all the iconic nonya dishes, beloved of Peranakan matriarchs, and all of us were well fed. Having braved the drizzle to witness the tree's consecration, this was a good chance to enjoy good food and company. As Peranakan food goes, this is one of the most authentic and every dish looks and tastes like how it should be. Here are the photos!

Nonya chap chye (mixed vegetables)

Egg fuyong and blue pea rice

Sauteed stir fried prawns

Assam pedas fish (pomfret)

Buah keluak chicken

Braised babi pongteh (belly pork)

What a spread!

Durian dessert

Chendol (very sweet) and
lemongrass jelly (not so sweet).

STRAITS CHINESE NONYA

8 Raffles Avenue, #02-21

Esplanade Mall

Singapore 039802

Homepage - Home Straits Chinese Restaurant & Catering Top 10 Nyonya Restaurant

CONSECRATION OF A TREE: THE TAN KAH TEE MEMORIAL EUCALYPTUS @ ESPLANADE

It threatened to rain heavily on this Wednesday afternoon (17 June 2026), but it turned out to be a light drizzle. Such that a small group of friends were present to witness the consecration of a tree in Esplanade's garden by the bridges. A eucalyptus tree had been named in memory of one of Singapore's most generous musical philanthropists, Mr Tan Kah Tee, who left this world in late December last year.

His widow, Mrs Catherine Tan, thanked all present for braving the weather to come out in friendship and camaraderie to see a plaque attached to one of Esplanade garden's graceful eucalyptus trees. She praised the tree for its strength and resilience, and ability to put up with the harshest environments known to man, also likened to Mr Tan's tenacious struggle against his terminal illness. He fought a good fight, and the tree will carry on the battle.

Weihe des Baum
(Consecration of the Tree)
after Beethoven.
Mr Tan would have appreciated that.

Several trees are still available to be dedicated and consecrated, and enquiries can be made with Esplanade's development team. After a short and informal ceremony, all present adjourned for dinner in Esplanade's Straits Chinese Restaurant, photos of which will be posted here: pianomania: SUKA MAKAN: STRAITS CHINESE NONYA @ ESPLANADE MALL

Wednesday, 17 June 2026

SUKA MAKAN: HOUSE OF WHITE BEE HOON @ PUNGGOL SETTLEMENT

It's a long distance to travel from Bukit Timah to Punggol, and if it has to be about food, it had better be good! Fortunately, one of the few restaurants open on a Sunday lunchtime at a rather sedate Punggol Settlement overlooking the Straits of Johore was House of White Bee Hoon.

What's the big deal about white bee hoon anyway? The secret is in the stock which is usually cooked with scrambled egg, spiced with seafood, usually prawns and clams. The bee hoon (rice vermicelli) is white but the stock is yellow and that is what makes it flavoursome.

White in yellow eggy goodness.

This restaurant also has zichar and seafood to add to the noodles, and that made this meal with the Gouws all the more memorable. By 1 pm, almost all the tables were filled which is a testament to the restaurant's popularity. All of us agreed that the dishes were tasty, and a return to this outlet was something to look forward to.