Seasons Ice & Eatery Ltd

This is actually a Taiwanese snack shop located in the Chinatown Cultural Plaza.  Here is a sampling of what's available here.  I've actually tried almost everything on the menu and it's all pretty good.

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Several months ago, I was on my way to meet a friend for lunch at K C Kitchen. On that particular occasion, I parked in a different location and ended up walking past Seasons Ice & Eatery and that's how I discovered this place.  It's kind of funny to think about because both of these places serve Taiwanese food and they are within walking distance of each other.  The atmosphere inside each restaurant is quite different and so is the food. 

As you approach Seasons Ice & Eatery, you'll notice the food photos on the window facing the mall.  The photos do give you an idea on what's on offer here and most of it looks good...especially when I'm hungry.  When I arrived, there were only a couple of people here inside the small shop -- there are only 3 tables (or was it 4?) inside this tiny shop.

There's a small area in the front of the shop which contains a refrigerator full of cold drinks, and a small ice shaver to make some icy treats which are especially good when the weather is hot and humid.  To be honest, I have never had dessert here, only because I'm usually too full after eating all of the delicious food.

If you've been to the Taiwanese restaurants that are in the area, then you're probably familiar with the bright colored strips of paper that adorn the walls -- I've been told that this is the menu.  Now, if I was able to read the Chinese characters, then I'd probably place my order based upon what I read there.  But...

...instead, on the table is a menu covered in tiny photos with the name of the dish in English as well as a number.  You'll soon find out why this is helpful.

You see, on each table is a laminated sheet of paper and a black marker, like what's shown below.  When you're ready, you indicate which dishes you want by writing the number of servings in the little boxes next to the description of the dishes.  Now, it's much easier, in my opinion, to look for numbers rather than the names of dishes and that's why I like the numbering system.  Besides, there should be no confusion with having an incorrect order brought to the table, or an incorrect tab, right?

I often order this combo -- #17. seasoned boiled egg (US$.50) and #18. seasoned tofu square (US$2.00).

The tofu is braised before being topped with some yellow bean sauce and chopped green onions.  The tofu has an interesting flavor, one that I've become accustomed to over the last several months.  The seasoned egg is tasty, but could use a bit more flavor.  Perhaps they could braise it for a longer period of time?

Depending on how hungry I am, I will also order the #12. fried rice noodle (US$2.50).

Thin strands of glass noodles are stir fried with vegetables before being topped with a some minced pork and chopped cilantro.  Despite the low cost, this is the perfect portion size for a light lunch and the flavorful noodles taste even better when a healthy spoonful of chilli is added on top.

More frequently, I will order a bowl of the beef noodle soup or niu rou mien (US$5.50).

The piping hot soup arrives with a ton of noodles floating around in the bowl of beefy broth.  Along with the chunks of lean, tender beef, there's a lot of chopped cilantro and chopped green onions in here as well.  The soup here is almost always a little sweet, and more often, almost never spicy enough.  While "fishing" around in the bottom of the bowl, I discovered one of their "secret" ingredients -- tomatoes!

If I don't feel like having too much starch for lunch, I'll order the above mentioned seasoned tofu and this dish, #7. Meat dumpling with beef soup (US$5.50).

Eight thick-skinned and plump dumplings are found floating around in the same bowl of broth as the signature beef noodle soup.  The slightly sweet flavor of the broth pairs well with the beef and chive filling.  Stuffed until they are almost ready to explode, the dumplings are excellent.

Despite being in the vicinity of the more popular K C Kitchen, Seasons Ice & Eatery definitely holds its own.  The food here in inexpensive and tasty, and the service is great.  Now all that's left is to decide who makes the best niu rou mien.

Seasons Ice & Eatery Ltd
Chinatown Cultural Plaza
100 North Beretania Street Suite 117
Telephone: 808.538.1978

Comments

[Mama BoK]

YUMMMMMMYYYY!! oh .. Reid..! you always managed to make me so hungry.. and so green with envy..!! everything looked so yummy in this post..!!

[Kathy]

And to think I've been to the cultural plaza so many times and have never ventured into this place!

[clare eats]

Yum!
your pics just made me salivate, I hope the food is good!

[Cindy]

Those noodles in soup look yummy! and the won tons too.

[OsloFoodie]

I suddenly have a craving for noodle soup!

[gail]

Anthony Chang has told me that this spot is considered by many to have the best Taiwanese Beef Noodles on Oahu. They sure look good.

[AugustusGloop]

Ouch. I just bumped my forehead into my monitor, and there's a puddle of drool on my keyboard

=)

[Kirk]

Hi Reid - That looks like Niu Rou Mein. BTW, since it's a Taianese place do they make Tsoh(Stinky)Dofu?

[J]

hi reid, you are killing me softly with suspense here...everything looks ridiculously good - i can't wait to hear all about it!

[Rachel]

MMMmmmMMM!!
Great tempting pics, would love to know more about the tofu and vermicelli dish.

[babe_kl]

the food shown are all so mouth watering!

[Reid]

Hi Mama BoK,

Everything was indeed yummy! I make time for this place at least once every couple of weeks or so. =)

Hi Kathy,

Then the next time you're there, you definitely must try the food here. It's actually quite good. If you don't want anything soupy and you don't like glass noodles, then try the ground pork sauce noodle. Mmm!

Hi Clare,

The food here is quite good. It's one of my "go to" places when I can't think of anything else.

Hi Cindy,

The niu rou mien here is delicious as are the dumplings. If you have a chance, you should try the food here. =)

Hi Oslo Foodie,

I get like that sometimes too. I'll eat niu rou mien once a week for about a month, then not eat it at all for 6 months or more.

Hi Gail,

I'm not sure if I would say these are the best, but the niu rou mien here is definitely good. The soup is a little on the sweet side, while I normally prefer it a little spicy. K C Kitchen which is inside the Marketplace has some good niu rou mien as well. Their's has more of an anise flavor to it.

Hi AG,

YAY! You're back! When I look at the photos, I keep telling myself that I need to go back and eat some of this stuff again too! =)

Hi Kirk,

It is indeed niu rou mien and they put tomatoes into the broth. Besides adding lots of rock sugar, I think the tomatoes add to the sweetness of the soup here.

Funny thing you should mention stinky tofu. I was just talking about it with a Taiwanese friend of mine. They don't serve it here, but I'm sure I can find it somewhere. =)

Hi J,

Do you like Taiwanese food? =) I certainly do!

And, although I didn't see any, do you know of any good Taiwanese food stalls in Singapore?

Hi Rachel,

The tofu is braised then topped with some yellow bean sauce. It's served at room temperature and it's quite delicious. I was a little put off by the yellow bean sauce at first, but it grows on you.

The vermicelli dish is just stir fried glass noodles topped with minced pork sauce and chopped cilantro. Simple and so delicious!

Hi babe_kl,

I'm glad you like the photos. The food tastes so much better than the photos look... =P

[Rachel]

Great article Reid ! Thanks for taking the time to share the place with us even though you've been busy.

I can help you with the writing on the wall... Its actually a drink and dessert menu. The first item on the left says "green bean ice" the next says "red bean ice" then "pearl milk tea" and then its a bit blurry so I can't read anymore :)

I love the sound of that dumpling soup and those dumplings. I'm going to try to head for a taiwan dumpling place next time I'm in sydney ! Anyway I have noticed that the marking quantities on the menus is very much a taiwanese cafe thing as I have often encountered those at the "bubble tea cafes" in Singapore.

[Kirk]

Hi Reid - The Missus was "reading" the wall as well, and smacking Her lips - must be some good stuff written there - she did say that the Dofu and Niu Rou Mein were on two of the strips of paper.

[Reid]

Hi Rachel,

Thanks for translating the menu. I had no idea what those items were! =)

This is the first place that I've ever had to mark a menu, but I'm glad to know that it's a Taiwanese thing. I have a friend in Taiwan that is asking me to come and visit. It sounds really tempting.

Hi Kirk,

I guess you're right. The food here is quite good and very inexpensive. I heard that their shaved ice is good too!

I'm sure I would be smacking my lips if I could read what was written on those slips of paper as well.

[VB]

Very thoroughly introduced. Yes! This place is an authentic Taiwanese food place. I am from Taiwan so I am sure. Regarding KC around the corner...it's not Taiwanese owned anymore, so we don't go there anymore. There is another place selling Taiwanese food --> Dew Drop on S. Beretenia. That's about all the Taiwanese restaurants I can think of on this island.