When it comes to which Hokkien Mee or Char Kway Teow is the best, Singaporeans will argue passionately and taxi uncles (or Uber drivers?) will attempt to drive you to vendors that they swear by. So when their Bak Chor Mee is bastardised, Singaporeans may either throw up their collective arms in protest or embrace a new way of consuming their chicken rice. We are an adventurous bunch when it comes to food, I am sure. Singapore has seen a resurgent interest of mod-Sin cuisine since chef Willin Low set up the grand-daddy of Mod-Sin restaurant, Wild Rocket. We introduce some of the latest concepts that have sprouted since.
Pó
Imagine savouring your Popo’s (grandma) homey popiah and Hokkien Mee but in a posh setting that is Pó restaurant, located within the Warehouse Hotel. Would you pay $28 for four popiah that you have to wrap yourself? Or if it happens to be your payday, indulge in the flower crab version at $58. Sure, you probably can get one at $2 at the foodcourt but Pó provides an element of fun in creating your own versions as well as premium and fresh ingredients at that price. Other equally amped-up local dishes that are given new spins are the Hokkien Mee (Carabinero Prawns and Konbu Mee) at $32 and Yu Sheng (Barramundi Salad) at $19. End off the meal with an ice-cream popiah with taro and peanut gelato, pineapple, peanut brittle and coriander ($15).
320 Havelock Road, Robertson Quay, S169628
photo: Pó Restaurant Facebook
The Naked Finn
The founders of The Naked Finn believe in letting the top quality ingredients speak for themselves, naked and unadorned. They only use condiments and sauces where necessary and 90% of their sauces to sorbets are (hand) made in-house. While most of the items on the menu are not strictly Mod-Sin (most of are seafood), there are some dishes that are worth mention. The Hae Mee Tng (Prawn Noodles Soup) ($25) boasts a soup that is intenseand complex, simmered using a combination of wild-caught giant red shrimp, Northern prawn and dried Sakura shrimps, with pork stock for 7 hours. The Teochew-style fish soup is a five-hour stock that is finished with tomato, Chinese cabbage, tofu, deep-fried yam and sliced bluenose Warehou and served with rice on the side.
Block 39 Malan Road Gillman Barracks Singapore 109442
Photo: The Naked Finn Facebook
Creatures
Creatures is located in a quaint 2-storey shophouse in the colourful Desker Road. Looking at the menu, reminds one of feasting at a foodie friend’s home. The Creatures Laksa ($24) is the quintessential Nonya laksa, a modern take on a traditional Peranakan classic served with fresh prawns, quail eggs, chicken, fish cakes and cucumber laces simmered in a signature rich coconut laksa broth. The Ah Gong Fried Chicken & Ah Ma Noodle ($24) is a dish of crispy fried chicken leg with garam masala, served with chinchalok mayonnaise accompanied by la-mien tossed in fried shallot and light soy. A meal at Creatures is incomplete without ordering its popular Creatures Durian Cake ($12 per slice), made with the Mao Shan Wang paste and Pandan Genoise Sponge. The portions are huge, so be warned.
120 Desker Road, Singapore 209639
Photo: Creatures Facebook
The Coconut Club
Serving just one dish really well is The Coconut Club’s mantra. In this case, it is the Singaporeans’ beloved humble Nasi Lemak. Except, this is priced at $12.80 and served in a café setting. The owners search for the best coconuts for its recipe. The Coconut Club’s MSG-free Nasi Lemak includes a generous portion of fragrant coconut rice, cucumber slices, peanuts, dried anchovies, succulent chicken leg, a fried egg and sambal sauce. The entire dish—besides the sambal—is gluten-free. But if you would like, you could also request for gluten-free sambal chilli sauce.
6 Ann Siang Hill Singapore 069787
Photo: The Coconut Club Facebook
Jiakpalang Eating House
Chef Nixon Low’s latest project in form of Jiak Pa Lang Eating House serves local cuisine in a bowl. From Sesame Sous Vide Chicken ($6.90) to the Charcoal Katarosu Pork Collar ($16), a version of a zi char staple, the coffee pork ribs to the Thai Style Wagyu Beef Salad ($13.90). Order the Milo Dinosaur ($8), that is fun and yummy, for dessert.
456 Alexandra Road, #01-04/ 06 Fragrance Empire Building Singapore 119962
Great review. Aptly described.
Thank you! We hope to provide more updates on what’s happening in the local F&B scene, ideas for startups and new suppliers in the market. 😊