Dinner-Only Western Stall for Comfort Eats
Fat Monkeys (Mee Sek Food Court)
Situated in the same coffeeshop as Ponggol Nasi Lemak, Fat Monkeys is a dinner-only Western stall that whips up delicious comfort food. Mac and cheese fans will be happy to know that there’s an even more indulgent version here — the Fried Mac & Cheese ($4 for 2) presents cheesy macaroni balls encased in an extremely crispy breaded crust. Da Bomb ($13.90) is another item worth trying. This bomb diggity deep-fried burger combines a juicy chicken or beef patty, streaky bacon, cheddar cheese and BBQ sauce, all wrapped in a chewy dough and fried till crisp. If you prefer the classics, Fat Monkeys also dishes out Chicken Chop ($6.90) — the Burpple community gives this a big thumbs-up!
Jago Temporarily Relocated to Blk 80 Marine Parade Central
Jago Close Teochew Fishball Noodles (80S Corner Coffeeshop)
As Marine Parade Central Market & Food Centre will be closed till 31 Jan 2019 for renovation works, famous Jago Close Teochew Fishball Noodles was quick to relocate to continue its business. Thanks to Burppler Kris Lim’s lead, we found out that the stall is now based at Blk 80 Marine Parade Central, manned by the same owner and serving good-as-ever bowls of noodles. At $4, the amount of ingredients given is a mouthful — minced pork, sliced pork, fish balls, fish cakes, fish dumplings and a plump prawn. Be prepared to queue, for this stall draws a consistent crowd.
Hong Kong Jin Tian Now Reopened Near Tiong Bahru MRT
Hong Kong Jin Tian
After their three year-break, owners of Hong Kong Jin Tian are back in action with a stall near Tiong Bahru MRT. Burpplers are still fond of their delectable charcoal-roasted meats, which they claim to be the best in Singapore. Some of their signature items include the Roasted Duck, which boasts moist and juicy meat underneath a nicely crisp skin; and the Soya Sauce Chicken that is tender and simply divine. A plate of the roasted meat with rice or noodles sets you back just $3.50, and it’s best enjoyed with the owners’ recommended condiment — a spring onion, onion and garlic mix that delivers piquancy with every bite.
Bedok Gets a Fried Chicken and Waffles Kiosk
Buffles
Fried chicken and waffles arrive at Bedok North with a kiosk under Blk 204! For just $5.90, the Chick & Waffles comes with a pandan waffle and deep-fried boneless chicken thigh drizzled with honey, served with a side of crispy waffle fries. The waffle is fragrant and mildly chewy, and the fried chicken is delightfully salty and tender — a quality dish for the price, says Burppler Xing Wei Chua. Otherwise, you can simply get the good old fashioned waffle (from $1.20) with your choice of spread, or the Pisa Goreng ($1.50) that comes in five bite-sized pieces.
Fiery Wanton Noodles in Jalan Besar
Wanton Fu
Housed in ARC380 along Jalan Besar road, Wanton Fu is the new kid on the block that serves wanton noodles with deep-fried pork lard and fiery chilli. While the crispy and savoury Fried Wantons (from $3.50) make a good starter, the Signature Wanton Fu Noodles (from $4.80) is the must-try here. The noodles are thicker than usual but not doughy; in fact, they’re fairly springy and chewy. Before digging in, toss your noodles in a small amount of the chilli sauce provided on every table — it is really spicy, but absolutely shiok too!
Cheap and Good Japanese Joint Along Foch Road
Ohsho Express (Fusion Food Dynasty)
Restaurant-quality Japanese food at less than $10? Count us in! Ohsho Express is housed in the same coffee shop as now-defunct Don.档 and serves equally delicious Japanese fare. While there are no donburis here, the Tenshinhan ($9.90) — crab meat omelette on rice doused in rich curry — makes a good tradeoff. Prefer noodles instead? Burppler C Ang approves of the ramen here too! For as low as $7.90, the noodles arrive in your choice of soup base (tonkotsu, shoyu or chilli), with two pieces of cha shu, spring onions and bean sprouts. Otherwise, the Ramen Extra ($9.90) that has additional corn, black fungus and half an egg will make a more filling option. Top up for the Gyoza ($4.90 for six pieces) too, which Burppler C Ang praised highly.
This New Chee Cheong Fun Contender Does Interesting Flavours
Fun Fan (ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre)
The newest addition to ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre, three-week old Fun Fan takes on Singaporeans’ staples and serves up fusion chee cheong fun and rice bowls. Give the Cheesy Chee Cheong Fun ($1.50) a go — it combines ooey gooey cheese, rice sheets, egg and wasabi mayo for a dish that’s creative yet familiar. On rice bowls, get the Chicken Cutlet Rice with Korean Spicy Sauce ($4). Burppler Miss Ha ~ recommends this for its tender meat, crispy breaded crust and their version of the Korean gochujang sauce that is less spicy but no less tasty.   Â
Toa Payoh Welcomes Halal Japanese Fare
Oiishii Corner (Kim Keat Palm Market & Food Centre)
With the arrival of Oiishii Corner, Muslims now have a cheaper alternative for Halal Japanese meals. The extensive menu covers the basics for donburi, ramen, udon and a few side dishes. Unlike your usual sweet and savoury gyudon, Oiishii Beef Don ($5.50) is an interesting rendition that sees spicy sambal stir-fried beef over a bed of short grain rice. According to Burppler Maureen Ow, the sliced beef may not have the best texture, but the flavour of the entire dish sure hits the spot.
Fusion Thai Wanton Noodles in Ang Mo Kio
Thai Fusion Wanton Mee (Deli Kopi)
Ang Mo Kio residents are in luck —  you’re now given another option for Thai wanton noodles (the other being Soi 19) in the neighbourhood! Unlike your local wanton mee, the Thai Wanton Noodle (from $3.50) is topped with stir-fried garlic pork slices and deep-fried wantons. Well-marinated, smoky and tender, the garlic pork is so good that Burppler Maureen Ow didn’t find herself missing char siew at all. The noodles here are on the starchier side, but they actually meld harmoniously with the lard-infused sauce and give a good overall bite. With such addictive toppings, it will be wise to order the largest bowl to enjoy more of them, or get a plate of Fried Wanton (from $3) to munch on.  Â
Have a look at Burpple's Hawker Fare category here to see what the community is loving these days!
