Han’s is pretty much a brand that I do have a love-hate relationship with; it’s a favourite with my folks, and whilst I did belong to the era of kids who actually had it once in a while where my parents wanted to dine in air-conditioned comfort yet have local fare at the same time back int those days, we are now pretty much at a time where there are plenty of other options that we can go for at the same price point where satisfaction might be better met. The opening of the Thomson-East Coast Line had made a visit to Han’s a little bit more convenient, considering they are just situated outside Springleaf MRT Station — the outlet itself being a Han’s Union one where patrons can also order items from their other brands such as ĀTO as well.

Not sure how true this statement is, but it seems that Han’s Union had recently started to serve up an outlet exclusive menu that features plant-based items — not that we have seen this menu served at their other usual Han’s or Hanis outlets but we could be wrong. While the menu does feature other items that includes plant-based meat such as a Chicken Stew with Truffle and the Lemak Burger, what caught our eyes was the Pappardelle Al' Funghi with Truffle Butter, which is described in the menu as “Classic italian pasta with homemade cream sauce, topped with mushrooms and
fragrant truffle butter”. There was also an on-going promotion during our visit, where each main will come served with a drink, soup (Cream of Mushroom) and garlic bread on the side. Whilst my previous experiences of Han’s cream pasta dishes is usually an immensely rich and sinful ordeal (a guilty pleasure of mine, since I grew up being fond of such pastas in the past), this one was not too jelak in comparison — it is sufficiently creamy without being overly thick; perhaps so from the infusion of the truffle butter that gave it a slight hint of savouriness apart from the hint of truffle that perfumes throughout the dish lightly. The Pappardelle was slightly too soft for my liking; feels a tad overdone with the texture coming pretty close to Kway Teow somewhat — there again, I don’t think regular patrons of Han’s and their various concepts would have been too bothered with this. One thing i particularly enjoyed with this dish is how it comes with quite a decent portion of assorted mushrooms — all of them gave a good bouncy bite but I liked how there is varying contrasts of earthiness from the shimeiji to the shiitake; pretty much shook up the otherwise rather boring plate of pasta for me. Also, kudos to the folks at Han’s Union for the plating of this dish — not the prettiest, but definitely one of the more presentable dishes that I have seen from them though it is also known that some of the dishes here do bear a different plating from that of the usual Han’s and Hanis concepts.

To be fair, I am not one who would turn into a Han’s establishment as a meal option — there was one around the office until pretty much recently and I had never visited them ever. That being said, having visited Han’s Union several times, this is one spot I wouldn’t mind visiting considering the proximity from me, and how the food quality does seem to be beyond that of their other outlets, whilst also being one of their most comfortable outlets around as well. Wouldn’t say that the Pappardelle Al' Funghi with Truffle Butter is a must try, but it is worth considering for something that is pretty decent for those who are not too picky overall.