Little-known zi char stall in coffeeshop nook

I’m fairly certain I had by no means heard of Espresso Categorical 2000 earlier than this as a result of I’d have remembered the visions of Y2K and Britney Spears the title would have triggered. House to about 20 indoor and outside stalls, together with Seafood, it was doing a roaring enterprise on the afternoon I visited. Sure, the signboard above the stall simply reads ‘Seafood’ though some individuals check with it as ‘Seafood Zi Char’— [email protected] Categorical 2000 is known as a mouthful.

Regardless of the title, I used to be simply glad it’s situated inside the place the air-conditioning is, away from the blistering warmth. When you’re driving there, the multistorey carpark subsequent door is a lifesaver, even on the busiest days.

The uncle who runs the stall informed me that he has been honing his cooking abilities his whole grownup life however solely started the stall 15 years in the past. It has been situated at Espresso Categorical 2000 for the previous 12 years.

One of many issues that units the fare right here aside is the cooking oil. All the pieces is cooked in OKI, which is a mix of sunflower and canola oil. It’s reportedly “naturally ldl cholesterol free, excessive in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid and accommodates omega 3 & 6 fatty acids’. Wow, what an excuse to stuff myself foolish.

It will likely be arduous so that you can go previous the Butter Prawn (S$18 for small, S$30 for giant), which ended up being my favorite for the day… besides that it’s not on the menu! When you do go right here, ask the hawker uncle for his suggestions as a result of the signage simply hasn’t been up to date.

I’ve had Butter Prawn earlier than however this model with the egg floss has bought to be my favorite. There’s a whole medley of flavours working collectively right here— there are salty bits and others which have a touch of sweetness; the garlic performs its personal half even because the undercurrent of coconut provides its personal distinctive contact.

It have to be fairly a problem to make all these totally different influences coexist and complement one another nevertheless it’s a feat properly achieved at this in any other case innocuous stall.

The egg floss isn’t there only for the style, both. It has an exquisite mouthfeel and its visible enchantment can’t be understated.

Despite the fact that I had chosen the smallest serving measurement, the platter of Butter Prawn was an excessive amount of to complete. Once I ate the remaining portion at residence hours later, the prawns have been nonetheless tender and flaky. In contrast, the prawns at some hawker stalls are chewy even when they’re freshly served to you.

The Salt & Pepper Pork Ribs (S$12) additionally have been really useful to us by the hawker uncle however nowhere to be discovered on the signboard. I’m questioning proper now if I ought to ask the query about hidden menu objects at each stall I go to now.

I used to be fairly proud of the ten semi-large items of pork that got here on the plate. Calmly seasoned and possessing a smoky, peppery flavour, every bit was juicy and tender as will be. Onion, inexperienced peppers and chilli gave it an infusion of crunch, gentle sweetness and warmth to create a pleasant, rounded dish that I savoured.

For the primary a part of my meal, I selected Yang Chow Fried Rice (S$4.50 for small, S$7.50 for medium, S$12 for giant) within the small measurement. That was lucky as a result of even that turned out to be not that small. It was loaded with shrimp, char siew and fried egg as properly, making it greater than sufficient for two individuals.

I do not know what sort of giants the most important $12 model is supposed for.

Whereas the serving measurement was a optimistic, flavour-wise, this dish was the weakest of the three. I want it had been fried to have a smokier character as a result of that might have paired higher with the opposite substances.

The Butter Prawn and Salt & Pepper Pork Ribs are wonderful for a lightweight accompaniment to your rice. Nevertheless, in case you are on the lookout for a extra substantial meal, I’d say that it’s higher to decide on a facet with a sauce or gravy.

Ultimate ideas

Out of the best way and virtually extraordinary, [email protected] Categorical 2000 did a outstanding job of impressing me with its massive portion sizes and variety of flavours in particular person dishes. Higher nonetheless, I discovered a hawker stall that nobody in my circle was accustomed to. Heck, they hadn’t even heard of Espresso Categorical 2000 which, I suppose, makes this a ‘hidden’ hawker stall.

I don’t know if I’d make my approach right here only for a style but when I used to be within the Pasir Ris space, I’d positively give it one other go. Oh yeah, the desserts stall close to the doorway sells S$2.50 Ice Kacang that may be a fricking mountain, in order that’s a draw for the sweet-toothed on the market.

Anticipated harm: S$4.50 – S$9 per pax

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