This trendy modern tzi char was first founded back in 2018 by a bosom pair of childhood friends, James and Joel. It first opened in Jalan Besar with heartwarming wok-kissed dishes that won the hearts of many and now, they've opened a second and larger outlet along Stevens Road. Following up on the buzz online, we paid a visit to the wok-hei paradise.
Starting off with a pearly white bowl of XO White Fish Soup ($10), whiffs of XO permeated the air. Made by boiling fish bones for up to eight hours and with a dash of XO to finish, the collagen-rich soup is silky smooth and whets our appetite for what’s to come.
Chef Joel’s secret recipe for his highly-raved pig trotter vermicelli hails from his grandma. Simply dubbed as Grandma’s Te Kah Bee Hoon ($14), this wok-fried vermicelli boasts deep savoury flavours of dark soy sauce and a luscious mix of fat and lean pork trotter. It’s a near-perfect dish but you’d expect the mushrooms to be braised together with the trotters but to our surprise – it didn’t.
Word on the street is that the BBQ Pork Cheek ($19) is to die for but the looks of it when it arrived told another tale. One bite in and it was the opposite of that tender melt-in-your-mouth texture we kept hearing about. Instead, it was dry, leathery and sickly sweet. Perhaps an off day for the chef so order at your own risk.
Things took a turn for the better with the easy-to-eat Crispy Fish with Red Curry ($24). It came with thick slices of flaky barramundi swimming in a creamy mildly-spiced curry peppered with fragrant curry leaves – goes especially well with jasmine rice. The light and crunchy Har Jeong Baby Squid ($16) highlighted waves of umami from the prawn paste marinate that is perfect company over a pint of crisp lager.
But what had us nodding in agreement and vowing to return, is the Ugly Cabbage in Fish Sauce ($14). The humble dish showcased crunchy cabbage doused in addictive fish sauce. Simply topped with fried garlic, we were enamoured by the smoky, sweet and savoury flavours. If only all “salads” tasted this good.
From quirky traditional flip calendars as menus, bright pops from the coloured walls, and familiar antiques from the 70s all the way to the 90s, the space has a relaxed ambience injected with a smidge of fun. Coupled with the fast dynamic service, it definitely makes for a great spot for family and groups to gather over an unpretentious meal.
Time Out Singapore reviews anonymously and pays for all meals. Read our restaurant review policy here.
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