When thinking of Latin American food in Singapore, most of us will either hit up a Mexican or Peruvian joint. But that might just change. If you happen to strut along Haji Lane, you’ll come across Mamacitas, a mom-and-pop restaurant that serves up hearty Costa Rican fare. The foxy matron behind this folksy operation is chef Cindy Castro Vega and she is committed to serving up a taste of her homeland to anyone who is curious enough to have a go at it.
And this isn’t exactly her first rodeo. The native Costa Rican first opened Mamacitas back in 2012 at Amoy Street Food Centre and then went on a brief stint as a private dining chef. Now, she is ready to do it all over again. Fans of her previous hawker endeavours will be familiar with her tasty chalupas (from $16.80), an edible bowl made from fried corn tortilla and jam-packed with your choice of meat, refried beans, salsa, fresh vegetables and a generous veil of stringy cheese.
Costa Rican living is best summed up with the platos surtido, sharing platters ($88, pictured above) typically shared amongst friends and family over dinner. Here, Cindy piles on varying versions of signature chifrijo (fried meat stew) and olla de carne (beef and vegetable stew) onto a banana leaf that will easily feed five. The stews are flavoured with either tomatoes, onions or chilli, each paired with a specific type of meat (beef, chicken or lamb). The turmeric and onion yellow chicken stew is our top pick but if you prefer red meat, go with the beef version instead.
A medley of handmade tortillas comes along with sides of fresh salsa, avocado dip, charred chillies, fresh vegetables, and of course, refried beans. From flour tortillas to fried tortillas to chorreadas (corn pancakes), each bite varies with different flavour combinations and textures. Another signature dish is the Arroz Con Mariscos. The seafood rice ($26, pictured above) takes a page off the classic rondón (coconut seafood stew) and comes generously studded with mussels, red snapper and prawns. The aromatic rice is served moist and beautifully scented with coconut.
When you do spot a mysterious purple-hued jar, don’t be afraid to ask for what's inside – those refreshingly tart pickle assortments are a delight to have alongside the meats. Next time you're at Mamacitas and basking away under the moonlight of Haji Lane, close your eyes and you might just feel as though you’re on a coastal vacation in Costa Rica.
