Chang Sensory Trails 2018
https://www.changbeer.com/changsensorytrails-singapore/
This was an invited media review. I did not pay for the meal during the free hosted tasting session.
Attended with representatives from Chang Beer, msginginly, Ms Janice Eats, and Daniel Food Diary.
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| Thai Style Prime Ribs With Aroy Dee Signature Seafood Sauce & Jaew Thai Chili Sauce, Beer Chang |
The Spirit Of Lamiat
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Returning for its 3rd time in Singapore, the Chang Sensory Trails 2018 was held from 31 August 2018 till 01 September 2018, after equally successful runs in London and San Francisco. This time out, Chang Sensory Trails 2018 highlighted the spirit of Lamiat - paying attention to details, with an appreciation of the small things, while striving for perfection. With 8 of Singapore's finest modern Thai restaurants gathered, the showcase of 24 thoughtfully curated dishes was the highlight.
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| Chang Sensory Trails 2018 Entrance |
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| Chang Sensory Trails 2018 Balloon |
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| Chang Sensory Trails 2018 Dates |
The atmosphere at Chang Sensory Trails 2018 was buzzing, just like the previous year, and even a little rain didn't dampen the mood for event goers. Beautiful views of the cityscape, cooling breeze, and tantalising Thai dishes. Fairly chill and relaxing, but the crowds brought a good buzz of energy later in the evening.
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| Seating |
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| Seating |
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| Seating |
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| Seating |
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| Seating |
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| Big Ass Fans |
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| Good Times |
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| Night Lights Out |
Curated by reowned chef couple 'Bo' Songvisava and Dylan Jones, and held at The Lawn @ Marina Bay, Chang Sensory Trails 2018 also featured live musical performances by local Singaporean bands, including O.K Ready! and 53A. The place was adorned with quirky, colourful artwork doodles by Singaporean illustrator GalactikCaptain, from local collective Band Of Doodlers.
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| O.K Ready! Performing |
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| O.K Ready! Performing |
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| GalactikCaptain Doodle Bench |
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| GalactikCaptain Doodle Bench |
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| GalactikCaptain Doodle Photo Wall |
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| Radio Box Artwork |
The event was kindly sponsored by Chang Beer, and part of the highlights was the Chang Beer Stall, where event-goers could get cold Beer Chang (SGD $7) to wash down the tasty Thai food.
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| Chang Beer Stall |
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| Chang Beer Stall |
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| Chang Beer Stall |
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| Kinship |
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| Flavours |
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| Chang Beer On Tap |
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| Chang Beer On Tap |
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| Beer Chang (SGD $7) |
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| Beer Chang |
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| Beer Chang |
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| Chilling With Chang Beer |
Each of the 8 restaurants, including Aroy Dee Thai Kitchen, Baan Ying Original Siam Kitchen, Tamarind Hill, and Little Elephant Thai Bistro, showcased their signature modern dishes that still remain true to traditional Thai flavours. As with previous years, they've thoughtfully considered the environment, most of the serving cutlery used for the event is bio-degradable.
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| Kiosk Aroy Dee Thai Kitchen |
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| Kiosk Aroy Dee Thai Kitchen Showcase |
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| Aroy Dee Signature Seafood Sauce & Jaew Thai Chili Sauce |
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| Deep-Fried Lemongrass & Basil Leaf |
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| Kiosk Baan Ying Original Siam Kitchen |
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| Kiosk Baan Ying Original Siam Kitchen Showcase |
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| Kiosk Gin Khao |
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| Kiosk Little Elephant Thai Bistro |
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| Kiosk Little Elephant Thai Bistro Showcase |
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| Kiosk Tamarind Hill |
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| Kiosk Tamarind Hill Showcase |
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| Honey Mango & Uncooked Sticky Rice |
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| Meal Flat Lay |
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| Raise A Rib |
Tamarind Hill served up 3 signature dishes, the Deep-Fried Prawns With Crispy Noodles (SGD $8), the Honey Mango Sticky Rice (SGD $8), and the Taro Fritters (SGD $6), which we tried. These little pan-seared fritters were coated in a crisp, crunchy batter of all-purpose flour, eggs, butter, white onions, and coriander, giving it a savoury salty flavour. The smooth, creamy, tender yam taro filling within has a delicate earthy sweet flavour. Paired with the spicy Thai chili dipping sauce, it's really tasty and addictive.
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| Deep-Fried Prawns With Crispy Noodles (SGD $8) |
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| Deep-Fried Prawns With Crispy Noodles |
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| Honey Mango Sticky Rice (SGD $8) |
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| Taro Fritters (SGD $6) |
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| Taro Fritters |
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| Taro Fritters |
Little Elephant Thai Bistro served up 3 appetizers which I previously tried, including the Kor Moo Yang / Grilled Pork Neck (SGD $10), the Krapow Neua / Stir-Fried Sliced Beef With Holy Basil (SGD $10), and the Nam Tok Kor Moo Yang / Grilled Pork Neck Salad (SGD $10). Best paired with beer!
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| Kor Moo Yang / Grilled Pork Neck (SGD $10) |
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| Krapow Neua / Stir-Fried Sliced Beef With Holy Basil (SGD $10) |
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| Nam Tok Kor Moo Yang / Grilled Pork Neck Salad (SGD $10) |
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| Nam Tok Kor Moo Yang / Grilled Pork Neck Salad |
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| Nam Tok Kor Moo Yang / Grilled Pork Neck Salad |
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| Nam Tok Kor Moo Yang / Grilled Pork Neck Salad |
Baan Ying Original Siam Kitchen had a signature main course, the Som Tum / Green Papaya Salad & Hat Yai Fried Chicken Served With Sticky Rice (SGD $15). While the fragrant Sticky Rice was properly sticky, the glutinous rice was unfortunately dry. However, the excellent hand made Som Tum / Green Papaya Salad was lovely, a beautiful blend of textures; crunchy, tender, slippery; with bold fruity sweet sour savoury spicy flavours, from the shredded green papaya, dried shrimp, tomatoes, red onions, and peanuts. The Hat Yai Fried Chicken, while slightly firm in texture, has nice savoury sweet chicken meat that comes clean off the bone, with a lightly crisp skin that bursts with salty savoury notes.
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| Som Tum / Green Papaya Salad & Hat Yai Fried Chicken Served With Sticky Rice (SGD $15) |
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| Hat Yai Fried Chicken |
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| Sticky Rice |
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| Som Tum / Green Papaya Salad |
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| Som Tum / Green Papaya Salad & Hat Yai Fried Chicken Served With Sticky Rice |
Aroy Dee Thai Kitchen featured their signature appetizer, the Thai Style Prime Ribs With Aroy Dee Signature Seafood Sauce & Jaew Thai Chili Sauce (SGD $8). Marinated in a secret blend of herbs overnight, the pork prime ribs are deep-fried, served with a garnish of chewy herbal floral shredded lemongrass and crunchy herbal earthy basil leaf. The pork ribs are meaty, infused with herbal savoury sweet flavour, and have a moist, tender texture, coming easily off the bone. Really enjoyed this.
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| Thai Style Prime Ribs With Aroy Dee Signature Seafood Sauce & Jaew Thai Chili Sauce (SGD $8) |
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| Thai Style Prime Ribs With Aroy Dee Signature Seafood Sauce & Jaew Thai Chili Sauce |
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| Thai Style Prime Ribs With Aroy Dee Signature Seafood Sauce & Jaew Thai Chili Sauce |
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| Thai Style Prime Ribs With Aroy Dee Signature Seafood Sauce & Jaew Thai Chili Sauce, Beer Chang |
Gin Khao has tweaked the toppings for their signature Watermelon Fried Rice (SGD $13). This time, their fragrant egg fried rice in a hollowed watermelon is garnished with pork floss, fried grey mullet fish skin, watermelon cubes, deshelled prawns / shrimp, and peanuts. Served over dry ice, which creates wisps around the dish and attracts attention. Very filling, best shared.
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| Watermelon Fried Rice (SGD $13) |
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| Watermelon Fried Rice |
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| Watermelon Fried Rice |
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| Watermelon Fried Rice, Beer Chang |
Overall, I enjoyed the experience at Chang Sensory Trails 2018, just as I did the previous year. Loved the chill atmosphere, and the range of modern Thai cuisine available, which offers an insight into the signature dishes from the showcased restaurants. As with most events, I believe the dishes served in the restaurant itself (equipped with full kitchen facilities) would be significantly better. Looking forward to next year's Chang Sensory Trails 2019!
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CONVERSATION