1 Hotplate Western is one of those stalls that we had found out about whilst scrolling through the phone on social media. Located at Blk 505 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8, 1 Hotplate Western is a pretty easy find — the stall is situated in the only coffeeshop at the ground level of the HDB block; the same coffeeshop is where one can also find an outlet of Jin Hock White Bee Hoon, as well as an outlet of Rong Cheng Bak Kut Teh as well. With a shop unit that is facing the out towards the walkway of the HDB block, 1 Hotplate Western is really easy to locate — the bright pink signages at the shopfront is a stark contrast against the other stalls surrounding them. Having opened in April 2023, the stall had since attained its halal certification. One thing we did not realise about 1 Hotplate Western until our visit there is that the establishment is apparently run by the same folks whom are behind the Fatty Bom Bom Group — this is also the same brand that runs other establishments such as Fattybombom Halal Western, Nasi Kari Kg Abdullah and Do Re Mee as well. Being an establishment that serves up western fare, it is well-expected that the menu at 1 Hotplate Western comprises of chops and grills, as well as burgers and other fried items; there is also a variety of dishes that are served on hotplates as the name of the establishment suggests. Those whom are looking for something to share can also go for the usuals — think items like the French / Cheese Fries, Fried Chicken Nuggets and Fried Chicken Wings to share around the table as well.

Being one of the items that we have seen on the menu that intrigued us so badly to want to make a visit to 1 Hotplate Western, the Pasta with Chicken Chop is probably their closest interpretation to the Taiwanese Hotplate Chicken Pasta that has just become increasingly trendy in the local F&B scene of the late. There isn’t much being described about the Pasta with Chicken Chop on the menu boards at 1 Hotplate Western — patrons would make their order at the counter here, before they are being issued with a buzzer which they would be paged with when food is ready to be collected from the counter. Bringing the hotplate back to our seat, it is noted that the Pasta with Chicken Chop at 1 Hotplate Western comes with pasta that has been tossed in a tomato-based sauce, a slab of grilled chicken chop that is drenched with a thick brown sauce — all that whilst also accompanied with some raw onions and charred vegetables such as pumpkin and broccoli. One thing we really liked about the Pasta with Chicken Chop was how it was being served on a hotplate that is actually hot — the hotplate has been pre-heated before being played with all the elements that come above it; something that is definitely worth commending considering how many places would have used the hotplate simply as a “serving plate” to serve the dish with, therefore not carrying that “warming” effect that the hotplate is meant to carry for the dish. The spaghetti was done to no surprise but was comforting — done al-dente, yet sufficiently tangy from the tomato-based sauce that it was tossed in; the onions helping to add a crunch. Meanwhile, the chicken chop was decent; pretty tender and juicy without much effort needed to chew, though some may mention the lack of a crisp grilled skin and smokiness with this one. Amongst all the charred vegetables, the broccoli was our favourite; the crisp florets of the broccoli carried a nice savoury and smoky hint of flavours that was absolutely on-point. Overall, a pretty decent eat in the neighbourhood at $9.80!