KIASU is pretty good

Now that Xueyan has finished her exams, we can finally have a day outta CW and meet up with friends for meals, enjoy the summer sunshine and that walk in the park.

Right after church today, we met up with Serene Chua for lunch at Kiasu, which serves "authentic South-east Asian food" at Bayswater. We have heard a fair bit about this place. A church friend who went there last week recommended the Mee Siam. I know it's a little weird talking about usual Singaporean fare here but it's really difficult to get THAT Char Kway Teow and Nasi Lemak. C&R in Chinatown is a good place, but nasi lemak that comes in achar, curry chicken and rice in curry gravy is not exactly THE Nasi Lemak we are all used to.

KIASU is 3 mins from the tube station. A quick glance shows a fully packed restaurant. Hmmm, must be real good. The crowd seems very Chinese and the restaurant had a Singaporean feel. The wall looks a little weird with definition of KiaMata (fear of police), KiaBoh (fear of wife) and many other Kia-s all over. Picanto anyone?

We arranged lunch at 1pm. At 15 to two, Chek, Patrick and Jamie have yet to arrive. The usual "latesy" folks. We went ahead with our orders. I had prawn noodles, Xueyan ordered a Nasi Goreng Istimewa while Serene treated herself to Hokkien Mee. We also had Or Lak and Cai Tao Kwey to share. My, the magical concoction of eggs and oysters brought sweet delight to our lips.

My prawn noodles went down very well and fast. The NGI itself was a sight to behold. Wish I had that. Malay-style satay with the optimal peanut sauce. Somehow I found myself infiltrating XY's food territory once too often. Not entirely satisfied, I had Chendol for the closing ceremony. Sweet but too coconuty. £3.80 for a small bowl is just not worth it.

The bill was £84 for six people - quite value for money given our "longing for home". We left with satisfied stomachs for a stroll at Hyde Park, watching a competitive game of park volleyball. I gave away some of Serene's Bailey gelato to the ducks and swans in the lake. A beautiful sunny day indeed in the park. Wish we had more time (not forgetting a ground sheet!) to get a good tan.

Interestingly, we saw Mr Lim Swee Say and his family along Bayswater (twice!). Mrs Lim seems to know that we are Singaporeans and wondering why we were staring at Mr Lim (want to take picture mah). We last saw them walking into Four Seasons. Obviously for the ducks.

They say, in London one must try the Four Seasons ducks. Guess that's just a Singaporean thingy.