MTV VJ Alan Wong has super appetite
Celebrity chow with VJ Alan Wong
When superheroes fight, the earth thunders and shakes.
And when the Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice Food Fight menu items from the DC Comics Super Heroes Cafe at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands arrived at our table, one could almost hear the growl of Chinese-American MTV VJ Alan Wong's stomach.
"This looks amazing," Wong, 30, declared.
"It's going to be hard to choose between the Batman and Superman meals. I may be a bit biased towards Batman because he's my favourite.
"I fell in love with the Batman movies and used to read my older brother's comics. I can relate to Batman because he's so cool but human at the same time. His powers come from his gadgets and specialised training. I'd like to think I could be Batman if I had his money and skills."
Wong co-hosts weekly lifestyle and music show The MTV Show, which airs on MTV Asia (StarHub TV Ch 533 and Singtel TV Ch 350) on Saturdays at 2pm.
M took Wong to sample the cafe's special Batman V Superman menu, which is available from tomorrow until April 24.
Wong had to pick his favourites from Batman's Wagyu Beef Burger and Superman's Free Range Chicken Burger, and Superman's Pasta Crevettes Carbonara and Batman's Truffle Pasta.
After deliberation, he declared Superman the winner in the burger category, and Batman for pasta.
"I don't usually like chicken burgers but this one is amazing and unique. The chicken patty is juicy, and the flavours of the salsa, guacamole and that unexpected touch of peanut butter bring it together really well.
"And I like the Batman pasta because that squid ink linguini with truffle sauce has a strong, robust flavour and goes beautifully with the shrimp."
What food do you miss from home?
I spent most of my life in California. What I miss most is authentic Mexican food - the food trucks where you can get great tacos for just a dollar each.
I also miss classic American diners like The Original Mels Diner, where you can get massive stacks of pancakes and a burger the size of your face. And the pizookie (a cookie baked in a personal pizza pan) at BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse is just delightful.
What are your favourite eating spots in Singapore?
I've been here for three years now, and I always like introducing visiting friends to the local food.
When I first arrived, I ate black carrot cake almost every day. I also like the popiah from Rojak, Popiah & Cockle at Maxwell Food Centre, and chilli crab at Long Beach Seafood Restaurant.
I took my parents there when they came to visit. When I want Mexican food, I like to hit Muchachos on Keong Saik Road.
How is your cooking?
I don't cook very well, but I do try. It's a little difficult to do it here because my kitchen isn't air conditioned, which makes it really hot and uncomfortable to cook in.
In college, I studied in Italy for six months and I helped the mother of my host family prepare simple Italian dishes like basil pesto and arrabbiata (spicy tomato) sauce.
So technically, I can do that.
What is the worst food experience you've ever had?
Oh man, my The MTV Show co-host Hanli (Hoefer) once had me try durian cream puffs for the first time on the show. But she didn't realise they had gone bad because they were unrefrigerated for hours.
When I took a bite, the taste was so awful I gagged and spit it out into a plastic bag.
Hanli and the crew were laughing at me, but when they tried the puffs they realised they were spoiled. She apologised profusely.
My reaction was caught on camera, so at least it was entertaining for the viewers.
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