Hadn’t really heard much about Necessary Provisions ever since they had re-opened their doors within SmartFit Pilates at Tanglin Shopping Centre — whilst I had been there once and had their Croque Kinoko, I had been quite intrigued by their Quinoa Ulam; and so a revisit was going to happen just for that.
The Quinoa Ulam is their very unique rendition of the Nasi Ulam — a dish that is sometimes found in Peranakan restaurants being a somewhat of a rice salad dish featuring shredded mixed herbs that is known for being especially aromatic and refreshing. Being an establishment that is all about healthy eating, Necessary Provisions had switched up the usual rice grains with quinoa instead — also feature elements such as shallot, chili, lettuce, fresh herbs and lime juice. For one who does not quite enjoy salad usually, the Quinoa Ulam was actually a dish that I found to be really easy to finish and pretty appetising — just like the typical Nasi Ulam, there is just so much going on in the rice — the freshness of the herbs carrying not just a burst of umami, but also a slight crunch, while the chili provides an extra punch that tickles the taste buds; all that while the quinoa comes soft and fluffy. Served chilled, the Quinoa Ulam is nothing short of zippy yet refreshing — never a moment where it felt monotonous because there is always something different in terms of flavour and texture with every spoonful.
The Quinoa Ulam is probably the dish that embodies the character of Necessary Provisions the best — a comforting take on something familiar to our local taste buds with just a slight twist; not something too different that reinvents the wheel, but just a minor switch up but executed in a style that is so homely, simple and satisfying. I still do miss their rendition of the Luncheon Meat Fried Rice during their days at Eng Kong Terrace; but I guess that will never make it to the menu here at Tanglin Shopping Centre. Nonetheless, it’s great to have them back in the F&B scene — looking forward to the next visit so that I can enjoy a slice of their signature Pandan Chiffon Cake over a leisurely cuppa!
Chifforn cake smells really good the moment it is served. Very soft, fragrant and moist.
Americano is good with no sourish or bitterish after taste.
An overall great experience especially if you need some quiet times alone.
The Pandan Chiffon Cake from Necessary Provisions is something that speaks very close to my heart, being one of the items I would most certainly order with my Flat White (maybe apart from the MIL Pineapple Tarts) whilst enjoying an idyllic afternoon here even before enlisting into National Service. This was everything I remembered it to be; soft, cottony and fluffy, the chiffon cake perfumes of an intense Pandan aroma whilst being light in its texture — its surprisingly homely for a rendition served at a cafe, and still reminds me of those simpler days of cafe-hopping that I certainly miss.
Those who have been around my Instagram profile would probably know how much I used to love Necessary Provisions — the space at Eng Kong Gardens is somewhere which I still found to be pretty unique and filled with character; was definitely sad when they pulled down their shutters for the last time a few years ago. So one could imagine the excitement in me when I first came across Necessary Provisions’s post on social media about their comeback in partnership with SmartFit Pilates, occupying just a small space that consists of two four-seater tables at Tanglin Place in the same space as the pilates studio.
Despite the small space occupied by Necessary Provisions here, they actually serve up hot food here alongside a small variety of cakes and bakes — that being said, the cafe now features a meatless dining concept (yes, no more Luncheon Meat Fried Rice and Pork Burger sadly); the Croque Kinoko is a sandwich that features shiitake mushroom and gruyere. A simple dish that’s comforting and satisfying (which is pretty much their branding since their days at Eng Kong Gardens), the toast comes crisp on the exterior with melty, oozy cheese lacing the earthy mushrooms in between that gives a bouncy chew. Topped with shaved cheese and a pickle, the pickle cuts through the heaviness of the cheese and bread to provide a sour-ish tang to refresh the taste buds.
The current rendition of Necessary Provisions at Tanglin Place is a more scaled-down version of what they were back then at the Eng Kong Gardens lot — smaller, cosier with a small stripped down menu that consist of only meatless options. That said, Necessary Provisions is still pretty much the same space it used to be — simple food that taste like home, straight from the heart, all in a cafe setting. Still, I must say I am pretty stoked about their return into the cafe scene; welcome back, and I am definitely returning for more (especially the Quinoa Ulam) some time soon — and to more Pandan Chiffon Cakes in time to come!
Tiny things that you get to appreciate when you’re not working. Now what do you do on your off days?
Almost don’t want to share this because the place can be a really good hide-out, but good things must share right?
The salad is just something as simple as cherry tomato, mozzarella, and coriander drizzled with soy and mirin dressing, but I must say it’s quite satisfying. They might have limited food selections but I heard they’re pretty good.
The coffee beans used are roasted by themselves. I don’t like my coffee too sour and this one has just the perfect acidity.
When I visited on weekday, the place is really quite with just a few of people doing their works or readings. I did notice some patrons coming to take away their coffee as well.
When you come in they will serve you with a jug of water. Overall the service is really good as well (hopefully I’m not biased just because I know someone there 😅)
Insider tips: It get more busy on weekends with the brunch crowds.
My previous visits to this place was actually for the Pork Burger, but I just got distracted so much to try the other items that were either specials or had made a comeback on their newest iteration of the menu that I needed to make yet another visit for this one.
The more I have this Pork Burger, the more I actually understand why I just love it so much — the savouriness from the Chorizo-like patty is something that seemed very unique to Necessary Provisions, not to mention that it's well crusted on the exterior for a good texture. The buns are light; toasted a little for a crisper texture while the melted cheese just gives the patty extra oomph. I also liked how the apple sauce gave that extra hint of sweetness that cuts through the meatiness. Remembered how I once mentioned how this burger was like a needy girlfriend that cost the same with the sides changed and subsequently came without? Yeah it's seemed to have gotten more needy with a somewhat smaller portion of pork now (not sure if it's that noticeable for others, but it's pretty stark to me). Still, something I would find myself looking forward to having here.
It's really been a long while since I last saw this item here; so much so I decided to skip trying anything else that I was contemplating to try on the menu and went straight for the grand old dame that I had been ordering years ago at Necessary Provisions before it disappeared.
The Pandan Chiffon Cake was all I remembered to be; light, fluffy and airy with a hint of light Pandan fragrance perfuming the chiffon. Reminds me of those simpler days when I had just graduated from Polytechnic, sitting in this then new cafe with a cup of White (5Oz) on the side — yes, that's really been a long time ago 😂
Using Valrhona Chocolate for their Iced Chocolate previously, Necessary Provisions had switched to using bean-to-bar small batch chocolate maker based in Singapore named Fossa Chocolate for their chocolate beverages (to be honest, I was actually more intrigued about the entire bean-to-bar concept only very recently after a chat with a co-owner of another cafe whom introduced it to me; wouldn't have seen myself ordering this if that conversation never happened)
It's interesting how this entire concoction turned out to be; it's surprisingly rich, thick and decadent — using 70% dark chocolate from Guatemala, this is certainly the beverage that is meant for artisanal chocolate lovers; it carries that luxuriously bitter flavours pretty well. Not your typical chocolate drink; probably even better if ordered hot. Certainly very heartening to see local cafes supporting small scale local businesses here.
Fried wings @$12
White coffee @$5.50
It's so crispy on the outside and the meat is extremely juicy and tender. Can't wait to go back again next month!
Back wanting to go for the Pork Burger but got horribly sidetracked after looking at their specials for the day.
It's a really savoury dish here — I wouldn't deny that it could get a little heavy for some but I was certainly very fine with what was going on especially since my taste buds are a little on the heavy side. While the overall dish looks a little on the plain side, there is quite a bit of braised sauce at the bottom that goes around the rice pretty well. The slow cooked pork belly could admittedly be a little more tender and soft, though it's a little nitpicking on my part. Glad that they are able to get the Jasmine Rice sorted out proper ever since the time I got their Basil Minced Pork Rice — the rice was properly cooked this time round. Overall it's a pretty hearty dish that's not the usual cafe fare with the slight rawness in its presentation (which cuts out the pretentiousness; something I am actually quite fond of) at a decent price (this costs $10); the style of Necessary Provisions that I have gotten used to ever since they had started out.
The scrumptious Apple Tart Tatin ($10.00) has a preparation time of 30 minutes, so it's best to order it at the start of your meal 'cos it's gonna take a while. Does not look like much, but is a pleasant dessert. The pastry added a nice chewy texture to the soft apple in the center-- which, btw, the apple is PIPING HOT so watch out when you tuck in! Surprisingly, it is NOT as sweet as I feared it would be. Delightful!
💳 Accepts credit cards
🌬️ Air conditioned seats available
🌞 Al fresco seats available
📶 WiFi available
🙋 No GST or service charge
Pappardelle al Verde con Funghi ($14.90) was ON POINT, so much that I felt like eating it again for dinner. 👌 At first glance, you might think there is too much cheese just by looking at it - but after you mix everything up, it melts & binds everything together.. So no, there isn't too much cheese 😉
I prefer this one for its flavours. I am a sucker for runny eggs & mushrooms
💳 Accepts credit cards
🌬️ Air conditioned seats available
🌞 Al fresco seats available
📶 WiFi available
🙋 No GST or service charge
Out of the 2 pastas I had, Fettuccine al Ragu ($14.90) is more generous with ingredients-- minced pork & beef). Very happy with both pastas being executed perfectly al dente & so flavourful.
💳 Accepts credit cards
🌬️ Air conditioned seats available
🌞 Al fresco seats available
📶 WiFi available
🙋 No GST or service charge
Really glad to be back here after the menu change and finding a few old classics from their previous menus ending up in their current menu which is scaled-down from their last one (also very glad my favourite Pork Burger still remains in this current rendition).
I clearly remembered having the non-sambal version years ago and thinking it was extremely close to mum's version at home — the ingredients closely resembled mum's cooking even with Ilan Bilis and Luncheon Meat. This Sambal version comes really enjoyable with an unforgiving kick of spiciness that intensifies with every spoonful, while the rice comes with a hint of smokiness from the wok hei (pretty good considering it came from a cafe). I love how there included things like Okra, Beansprouts, Ikan Bilis and small cubes of Potatoes that help create a bite and crunch for the entire dish, hence giving more texture while the Luncheon Meat helps to add a meaty and sinfully savoury touch that everyone would love. Notably, the entire dish doesn't feel at any way too greasy; a big improvement from when I had the non-spicy version years ago. Always enjoy it when cafes offer a touch of local flavours and do them well whilst serving them in a more upscale environment with specialty coffee — Necessary Provisions does exactly that with their Sambal Fried Rice and it's really something that clicks in very well with me.
PS: I am quite intrigued how the Flat White goes so well with this; don't know how but the cup of coffee simply tastes more profound and complex with the Sambal Fried Rice — it might sound pretentious, but I am surprised!
While they serve specialty coffee, the menu isn't exactly those you'll see for brunch. Instead they serve rice bowls and pasta such Pad krapow gai ($10). Small tender cubes of chicken stir fried with thai basil and chilli padi served over rice, we like this the most! Seasonal items like Pappardelle al verde con funghi ($17).
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Necessary Provisions
Address: 21 Eng Kong Terrace, Singapore 598993
Hang in there for the short week ahead!
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Necessary Provisions
Address: 21 Eng Kong Terrace, Singapore 598993
Spicy pork patty, apple sauce, arugula, Monterey Jack.
The spicy pork patty tasted like a chorizo filling! The applesauce added a nice hint sweetness, pork and applesauce it's always a nice pairing! Was a good burger, but the patty was slightly on the oily side.
A well spent late afternoon with a cup of coffee ☕️ Entering to a well displayed shelf n music(acoustic music) that accompany with u & ur friends.
In the menu is called White with 3 sizes, mine here is 6oz. Is flat white, the coffee aroma is nice n the after taste of the coffee is very smooth 💪🏻
