Jamaican treats and Cake & Custard treats at After Hours - New Cross Gate

Spotted some Cake and Custard TREATS at After hours so if Cake and Custard is off your radar you can get them from here.

I was captivated by these amazing battered prawns, rice and peas, mac and cheese as well as plaintains.

Anyway as I was leaving the area, I made a special trip again to New Cross Gate just to try After Hours.

It seemed pricey for a takeaway but this is the only place that serves battered prawns with Jamaican food!

Judging by what I saw and the pictures I took, the prawns looked big and succulent in a crisp sweet batter but the problem with fried food, you have to ideally eat it asap before it goes soft.

Unfortunately, there was no where nearby to eat so I had to travel a 45 minute journey home so it was bound to get cold so I had to consider to eat it warm or think of a good way to reheat the prawns.

As planned, I ordered the battered prawns, rice and peas, mac and cheese.

To my surprise, they were generous with the prawns and gave me 10 along with the sides.

The portion was so big that I just ate the rice and peas with prawns that night and had the mac and cheese for lunch the next day.

The battered prawns did not disappoint apart from the batter being a bit soft, they were glazed in this lovely sweet and sour sauce with a chilli kick similar to Kung Po Prawns but I doubt any Chinese Takeaway would give you 10 prawns!!!

The mac and cheese alone was cheesy and comforting just like school style mac and cheese.

Overall, I am so glad I tried this and hopefully I will be back again sometime to try the chicken fried rice and other mains!

Rating: 4/5

battered prawns

Masala Fish at Chicks N Fish

Finally tried some masala fish because my brother kept telling me how good it was.
This is the only place in this stretch that serves it.

Chicks N Fish specialize in Masala Fish and Tempura Prawns.
Basically it is your usual fried fish coated with spices which is delicious and reminds me of Sichuan style fish however it was a little bit salty.

The fish was soft and moist tasting like Pollock fish.

They offer more than just fried chicken, I love the Indian twist to it as they offer modern burgers, wraps with aromatic rice or noodles and scrumptious fries so they are doing it all!

Technically they told me it was maggi noodles they used and since no one else is serving this I had to give the tempura prawns noodle wrap a try.

Although this is new in the UK, I am sure you can get them in India such as noodles in Kati rolls etc.

The most creative thing I had was instant noodles pressed in a waffle maker to make waffle noodles.

I opted for their tempura prawns because this is one of their signatures items at £7.50 which is quite pricey but as a wrap with noodles it is only £8.50 and you get to try their Maggi Noodles.

As expected, I really liked it, inside the wrap was soft instant noodles complimented by the crispy Tempura coated bouncy prawns. I definitely got my moneys worth as it was big springy prawns inside.

As this is a new item, they are still improving the recipe. 

Personally I like the sauce served on the side so you can appreciate the noodles and prawns and then add spicy sauce accordingly to your spiciness levels.

Also tried their BBQ wings but the chicken was a little hard and dry.

So Masala fish and the noodle wrap is your best bet and I will also try the Tempura prawns because it would be nice to try their take on.

Tempura Prawns:

Can't fault these huge prawns with a spiced coating.

Spicy wings:

Nice when they fresh from the fryer.

You can tell when the chicken meat is glistening and not grey.

Noodles:

These are basically Maggi noodles but it was served in a foil dish which was a first.

Just an update, they have finalized the menu with popular items and now they have tasty BBQ lamb ribs served with peri peri salt chips.

For vegetarians, there is a really good menu with halloumi burgers zinger style!

As well as mains, finished off with this aromatic and delicate Kufli lolly which was creamy and delicious.

Chicks N Fish

87 South End, Croydon CR0 1BG

2021 Royals' Deluxe Rice Dumpling Combo at Royal Plaza Hotel!

Evidently the omnipork rice dumpling (zongzi) from Royal Plaza Hotel was really successful last year as 
they are doing it again this year.

The Royals' Deluxe rice dumpling combo is really good as you get a mix of vegan, sweet and savory so there is a dumpling for everyone.

I like the fact that they are smaller than the regular size hence this combo is good for small families and they are quicker to steam.

Royals' Deluxe rice dumpling combo:
Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Morel Mushrooms,Chestnut and Omnipork
Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Osmanthus, Quinoa and Red Bean
Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Matsutake, Dried Longan and Coix
Seed Mini Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Conpoy and Salted Pork
Mini Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Sweet Lotus Seed Paste

This will all set you back at HKD254 (Originally HKD338)

https://bit.ly/3vKEYcd

Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Matsutake, Dried Longan and Coix

Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Osmanthus, Quinoa and Red Bean

The Osmanthus, Quinoa and Red Bean is healthy and nutritious especially for the elderly.

Seed Mini Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Conpoy and Salted Pork:

Mini Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Sweet Lotus Seed Paste

Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Morel Mushrooms,Chestnut and Omnipork

The Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Morel Mushrooms,Chestnut and Omnipork is still my favourite because I love morel mushrooms and omnipork.