Checked out alittle tashi at 39 Tyrwhitt Road for a Burpple Eatup recently and must say that I have left pretty impressed. The concept serves up simply done Mod-Asian fare in both their Laundry Room and Dining Room menus — expect bar bites and communal dishes here served alongside alcoholic drinks such as sake, cava, red wine or even cocktails (non-alcoholic choices include pour over coffee and single-pressed sugarcane with Lemon amongst others). What left the strongest impression on the vibe was probably the Laundry Room; a unique concept where patrons can sit on steps to have a tipple or two — the “Laundry” lighting hanging inside at the back of the shop just magically blends into the environment surrounding alittle tashi, providing a hip, modern look against the rustic surroundings that is attention-grabbing without sticking out like a sore thumb (its easily my favourite detail at alittle tashi).

We got to try a couple of bar bites from the Laundry Room menu, as well as a few small and bigger bites on the Dining Room menu. Highlights from the Laundry Room menu includes Mozzarella (stretchy, baked cheese on skewer for the cheese pull that’s sprinkled with furikake for flavour), Spicy Vegetable Chips (crisp, thinly cut lotus root and other vegetables that are lightly salted for flavour — the light bite one would munch on while keeping the conversation going). Pickles were also served alongside to compliment both the bar bites and the small/bigger bites; the Garlic Cucumber comes with a juicy crunch that provides a good tang , while the Pickled Beetroot whilst being sweet carried a hint of aroma from the Szechuan Chili Oil that added a nice contrast to the beetroot similar to Ma La without being numb or spicy.

Out of the small bites, bigger bites and bowls of comfort section of the Dining Room menu, highlights include the Brussel Sprouts served with charred miso sour cream (fried greens that is all savoury and crisp; a seriously addictively dish that changes perceptions on the usually unappealing green; for me at least), chargrilled Baby Peppers with melted goat’s cheese (juicy peppers that explode in the mouth; the cheese being the crowd-pleaser that adds another dimension of flavour to the peppers). The Hot Salty Soya Milk would be an item great to share at the table — unlike the usual smooth and silken soya milk, it comes slightly grainy; almost porridge-like and totally love-able for a savoury dish. Coming with pickled radish, Chinese Donut, Szechuan chili oil and spring onion, the Chinese Donut was a mini You Tiao that had a texture similar to Hum Cheem Bang, while the pickled radish provided a zesty crunch to cut through the heaviness.

alittle tashi also has a staples section on the Dining Room menu that carries all the carbs; the Rice Cakes are recommended — another unique item to alittle tashi, the texture resembles pan-fried carrot cake, carrying that bounciness and crusted exterior which is pretty unexpected but delicious on its own. Dip them in any of the 12 sauces that they have to offer; the Skhug works as a sauce with a Middle Eastern flavour that was like a crossover between pesto and hummus, while the Ssamjang is all sweet like how Korean chili paste is known to be. My personal favourite has to be the Miso Cream; all savoury and buttery, it’s all artery-clogging sinfulness but works well with almost everything on the table from the meats to the greens and even with their Tashi Rice — absolutely amazing (don’t even leave alittle tashi not ordering this — it’s just that delicious).

Really glad to have the opportunity to attend the Burpple Eatup at alittle tashi; a place that serves up simple, Asian-influence dishes with their own unique twist — the food is in no way complicated and fancy schmanzy, but I did enjoy how everything came with a subtle attention to detail where they add an unconventional flavour that blends in well with the main star of the dish. Thanks to Burpple for the invite, as well as Jayne and her team for hosting; certainly enjoyed the food here — a place that I should really find some time to return to another day.