Makan Kakis with Denise Tan

Hi Makan Kakis, Masterchef Singapore Season 2 Winner Derek Cheong (who has launched 2 new outlets for his fried chicken venture Berempah Bros) loves this famous Yishun chicken rice. Listen now to find out why!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this final instalment of our Makan Kakis in Johor Bahru series, Denise joins actor, entrepreneur & JB resident Hossan Leong for the best bites at Taman Sentosa’s nostalgic open-air hawker street -Sentosa Street Food. Brace your bellies for lots of pushcart dishes including Grandma Ong’s heritage noodles, Penang laksa and herbal roast duck so popular it sells out by sunset. Listen now! Bonus: read the full story & watch the video.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From hybrid salted egg black pepper crab in a nostalgic kampung to “gearbox” soup at a hand-built cafe under the trees, Denise & JB resident David Ngiau discover that the best way to taste Johor Bahru is to go back in time via the Second Link. Listen now! Bonus: read the full story & watch the video.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this new Makan Kakis series, Mediacorp GOLD 905’s Denise Tan & OLI968's Vimala explore a popular stretch of kiosks featuring 50-year-old heritage yong tau foo at Foon Yew Laksa, and Siti Sweet Banana Enterprise's uniquely JB sambal-dipped pisang goreng, just minutes from the Causeway. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this new Makan Kakis series, Denise joins writer and Johor Bahru resident David Ngiau on a food trail from Larkin to Taman Melodies for authentic Minang flavours and a spot of cafe-hopping. For more beyond this podcast, watch the video and read the full story here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this new Makan Kakis series in Johor Bahru, Mediacorp OLI 968’s RJ Vimala shares a favourite JB spot for authentic South Indian flavours. Ever tried of tawa briyani and tookuchatti? It was a first for Denise at Railway Briyani Station - just minutes from the Causeway! And keep listening for other eats found in this seafront area of Stulang Laut!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this new Makan Kakis series, I call on foodie friends who live in Johor Bahru to take me where they actually like to eat. First on speed dial was veteran of theatre, TV and Singapore’s entertainment scene, Hossan Leong. Together, we tried some of Taman Pelangi’s best eats – Jombali Village and Restoran Ah Kaw – on this cross-border food trip!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey Makan Kakis! Fancy lightly seasoned steamed fish that's extremely fresh and handled with expert care? This family-run stall in Dunman is a favourite of Chef Damian D'Silva's!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Hey Makan Kakis, the annual Geyland Serai Raya Bazaar is back with around 500 stalls, 150 of which serving up a huge variety of food - there's a good mix of trending & traditional favourites, so here are some highlights...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been 5 years since Derek Cheong's culinary victory on Masterchef Singapore Season 2 & he has been BUSY! Besides running his private dining business 7 days a week, he's also running two Japanese rice bowl businesses, a trading card company and now, a new hawker stall in Beauty World featuring his take on ayam berempah!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey Makan Kakis, with Chinese New Year round the corner, have you visited the Chinatown’s Festive Fair? This annual street bazaar spreads across Sago Street, Trengganu Street, Smith Street, Temple Street & Pagoda Street, with lots of seasonal products to stock up on, from decorations to clothes to of course, snacks! Denise checks out some of the tastiest treats worth trying...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Makan Kakis, Chef Damian D'Silva really enjoys the perfect combination of noodles and sauce at this wanton mee stall. Found in Upper Boon Keng Market & Food Centre, it has that traditional taste and is wallet-friendly!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Makan Kakis, our Foodie Friend and champion of local heritage cuisine is back! Masterchef Singapore Judge Damian D'Silva chats with Denise about the evolution of his brand with a new restaurant that pays tribute to his culinary inspiration, Granddad Gilmore D'Silva. Find out why it's such a proud full circle moment to open at the National Gallery and what to expect from the menu that celebrates his family's Singaporean & Eurasian roots. Plus: Chef's insights from his "long, hard road" to navigating Singapore's F&B industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Makan Kakis, our foodie friend, Chef-Owner of modern Thai  Im Jai by Pun Im, Vincent Pang recommends this really excellent, ingredient-packed bak chor mee in Bukit Merah. This relatively new player is really up there amongst the best in Singapore!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello Makan Kakis, here's the final instalment in our retrospective on the most popular makan recommendations of 2025! What were your Top 3 best eats? Chicken Rice, Banana Leaf Fish Head Curry & Goreng Pisang are on the menu!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Makan Kakis, we're taking a look back at 2025’s most popular makan recommendations and in this second instalment, we're filling up on crispy roti prata, bak chor mee worth queuing for and nasi padang that's available 24/7...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Makan Kakis, Happy New Year! As 2026 unfolds, let's take a look back at 2025’s most popular makan recommendations. Which hawker stalls and local delights had your mouths watering and your bellies bursting? Listen now for this first part of a three-part series! On today's menu: Hakka Thunder Tea Rice with fried Yong Tau Foo, nostalgic Char Kway Teow, Fried Hokkien Mee & delicate Hakka soon kueh...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Makan Kakis, in our final highlight from Mediacorp’s SG60 Makan Culture campaign, we checked out this Toa Payoh eatery which was one of the Top 3 winners in the Chilli Crab category! Sophie & Gerald from Gold 905's Breakfast Club joined in to make the feast more festive!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Makan Kakis, we continue with our new mini food series, featuring highlights from Mediacorp’s SG60 Makan Culture campaign, in which you voted for your favourite hawker dishes! This week, we're checking out one of the Top 3 winners in the Nasi Briyani category.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Makan Kakis, here's another highlight from Mediacorp’s SG60 Makan Culture campaign, in which you voted for your favourite hawker dishes. This Tiong Bahru stall was one of the Top 3 winners in the Fried Hokkien Mee category!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Makan Kakis, we continue with our new mini food series, featuring highlights from Mediacorp’s SG60 Makan Culture campaign, in which you voted for your favourite hawker dishes! This week, we're checking out one of the Top 3 winners in the Char Kway Teow category.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Makan Kakis, we’re wrapping up the year with a new mini food series, featuring highlights from Mediacorp’s SG60 Makan Culture campaign, in which you voted for your favourite hawker dishes! This week, we're checking out one of the Top 3 winners in the Roti Prata category.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Makan Kakis, this episode gives us not 1, but TWO delicious recommendations from the stars of Dream Academy's The Divorce Party, Andrew Marko & Sebastian Tan!  Herbal soup and claypot rice, anyone?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Makan Kakis, the stars of Dream Academy's The Divorce Party Andrew Marko & Sebastian Tan join Denise for a fun chat about their new interactive dinner theatre production, go-to heartbreak songs, dining with dangerous animals and where they like to go to eat their feelings (herbal soup and claypot rice are on the menu) - amongst other things!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore's culinary legend - Chef, Writer & Restaurateur Violet Oon came by for a long overdue catchup and tells us more about the 2 new eateries she's opened this year. One is the grand villa-style Violet Oon Singapore on Dempsey Hill and the other is a casual, stylish & homey nook with a great price point at Temasek Shophouse  - Bibik Violet Peranakan Cafe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Makan Kakis, local culinary icon Violet Oon is known for her elegant, refined restaurants, but her dream has always to open a more casual eatery that gives you vibes of home-cooked comfort. Here. she tells us more about Bibik Violet Peranakan Cafe and the dishes that have become a hit with customers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Makan Kakis! The go-to hawker dish of our Foodie Friend, Chef Vincent Pang of Im Jai by Pun Im, is always chicken rice and he's a fan of this one in Tanjong Pagar. Not only is it really delicious - succulent meat & tasty rice - but it also gives you great value for money! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Giving us bang for our buck is Makan Kaki, Lyn Lee of Awfully Chocolate with not one, but two recommendations! This Joo Chiat coffeeshop houses 2 stalls worth checking out - her favourite fried kway teow with lots of wok hei & taiwan porridge with expertly executed accompanying zichar-style dishes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fellow fish soup lovers may be familiar with this souper popular stall at Amoy Food Centre, but for the uninitiated, Chef Vincent Pang of Im Jai by Pun Im recommends Han Kee for their flavourful broth and generous portions of fish! Slurp-worthy and satisfying, this bowl of comfort is worth braving the lines for! For a shorter wait, get there early, like at 10.30am!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our new Makan Kaki is a hedge fund manager turned restaurateur-chef, Vincent Pang of private dining experience Pun Im and new restaurant Im Jai at Icon Village. He shares more about his journey from Finance to F&B, signature must-try dishes at months-old Im Jai and why it'd just be a party of one on the guest list for his fantasy dinner party. Listen for who his special guest would be, why and what he'd serve!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we count down to the Festival of Lights, soak up the sights, sounds and flavours of the Deepavali 2025 Night Bazaar in Little India! DJs Nithiyia and Vimala from Oli 96.8 invited Denise to check out the street food on offer and here are some delicious highlights.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Makan Kakis! Chef Dylan Ong (of restaurants The Masses & Choon Hoy Parlor) comes from a proudly Teochew family of hawkers, so he knew what he was talking about when he recommended this one-woman-operation at Albert Centre Food Centre for BRAISED DUCK RICE! Good news: after 3 months of closure for refurbishment, the food centre has finally re-opened, so you can pop by to try it for yourself!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Makan Kakis, owner of Mr Onigiri Marvin Fam is back with a firm favourite of his family's - teppanyaki with a Taiwanese twist. Think sizzling hotplates of flavourful meats with sides and your choice of pasta or rice at affordable prices from this Woodlands kopitiam stall!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tinoq Russel Goh and Dylan Chan (the duo behind lifestyle brand Pasir Panjang Boy) have been busy with their Peranakan-inspired private dining residency at the Heritage Room in collab with Orchard Rendezvous Hotel, but returned to recommend this delicious wanton mee. It wins nostalgia points with Tinoq who says it tastes just like the kind we grew up with in the 60s & 70s! Listen to find out why they love this Telok Blangah stall so much.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this second part of our chat, we find out if life imitates art - can the star of Fried Rice Paradise - the Makan Party cook? And what would Serene's fantasy dinner party be like - who's on her guest list, what food is she serving and what's on the playlist? Think home-cooked favourites, jet skis and a famous British Dame!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Makan Kakis, owner of Drips Bakery Cafe Jessica Tan returns this week to recommend one of her favourite places to go for prawn mee soup. The stock is what keeps bringing her back and if you prefer it the dry version of noodles, they are so worth the calories!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Makan Kakis, we may be familiar with the more robust Teochew-style soon kueh, but have you tried Hakka-style ones? These are delicate, thin-skinned versions made from taro and absolutely delicious! Actress Serene Chen has Hakka roots and recommends this specialty stall for all manner of comforting Hakka delicacies including abacus seeds and yam porridge!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Makan Kakis, today we chat, delightfully & deliciously, with Serene Chen who is playing Fried Rice Boss Lady Poh Bee Lean in SRT's FRIED RICE PARADISE - THE MAKAN PARTY, featuring songs by Dick Lee! She tells more about this dinner theatre production and why it's worth snapping up the last few remaining seats before the show closes this Sunday 14th September!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Makan Kakis, Drips Bakery Cafe owner Jessica Tan is back this week to recommend a childhood favourite from her beloved Tiong Bahru neighbourhood - this couple have been serving up delicious char kway teow to the community since the 1980s!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taufik Batisah was our very special guest this week and he popped by to tell us more about his performance at the National Day Concert (catch up on Mewatch or Mediacorp Entertainment Youtube). From singing and song writing to real estate, interior design and F&B, he also catches us up on what's driving him now (look out Singapore, the Taufik Empire is growing!). And for the Nashville-style fried chicken fans, Taufik's Chix Hot Chicken has a new, much bigger outlet. Listen now for the details! And do check out Part 2, where he recommends a good place to go for dum briyani, Makan Kakis!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First Singapore Idol, Realtor and owner of Chix Hot Chick'n Nashville-style fried chicken, Taufik Batisah tells us why he enjoys the mutton shank dum briyani at Cahaya Timur in Changi Village!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Makan Kakis! Peranakan Chef Philip Chia returns with a favourite that's close to home - Hokkien Mee recommended by a taxi driver who got him hooked on this Clementi Avenue 2 stall that also serves up prawn noodles and char kway teow.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Makan Kakis! Our new Foodie Friend & Founder of Drips Bakery Cafe, Jessica Tan, took me on a mini tour of her Tiong Bahru, where her flagship bakery is located and recommends a place she brings her guests from out of town for excellent zichar. Por Kee Eating House is a Tiong Bahru Institution known for their wide variety of seafood dishes, champagne pork ribs and Jessica's favourite, their yam basket. Listen for more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Hi Makan Kakis, our new Foodie Friend, The Peranakan Chef Philip Chia really enjoys the perfect balance of chilli and vinegar at this wildly popular Ghim Moh noodle stall. Listen for all the details!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chef Philip Chia was the food consultant for Mediacorp's Channel 8 blockbuster Emerald Hill. Enjoy specially curated dishes inspired by the show through his Peranakan buffet, now on till 17 August at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore's The Line restaurant!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marvin Fam, Founder of Mr Onigiri is back with this recommendation for his family's go-to noodle place. Springy, QQ and available in white/ red/ black sauces, this Sarawak-style dish is both colourful & tasty!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi Makan Kakis, this is a hidden gem in the true sense of the word - tucked away in the basement of a building perhaps better known now for its learning centres. Not far from Newton is Balmoral Plaza along Bukit Timah Road, where you'll find Shanghai Pudong Kitchen, an institution that's been serving up tasty dishes like dumplings, drunken chicken and fresh fish for more than two decades now. With thanks to Chef Ming Tan for this recommendation!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.