Tremendous worth rice bowls with braised pork, fried ebi & teriyaki rooster from $4.50

After I visited Taman Jurong Hawker Centre for one more assessment final month, one explicit stall’s identify caught with me. Asking round what Chi Huo 吃货 may presumably imply in a hawker context, I learnt of two interpretations: a meals fanatic (foodie), or a spot that provides good meals.

A fast scan of their menu revealed a litany of Japanese-inspired rice bowls from as little as S$4.50 to simply S$6.50. The value level positively arouses scepticism relating to high quality, however I needed to style for myself somewhat than going off its measly 10 Google critiques.

No contrivances or elaborations right here; Chi Huo’s menu actually shoots straight with its choices.

What I attempted at Chi Huo 吃货

Issues have been rocky from the get-go as our order of Teriyaki Rooster & Rooster Cutlet Rice (S$5.50) got here not with teriyaki rooster however braised pork. Brushing apart this small error, I used to be stunned by what number of elements had been packed in. Based on the stall proprietor, nearly every part is ready in-house.

The rooster cutlet occupied the bowl’s full diameter however was somewhat modest in thickness. Puncturing the breading with a fork managed to yield a delightful crackly symphony.

The meat was a step down from its spectacular measurement, being atypical of juicy cutlets I’ve had at different institutions. Not overwhelmingly dry as to resemble chalk however sufficient for the slices to sap moisture. Nonetheless, it had a salty exterior and was of a beneficiant portion to compensate.

Just like the cutlet, the braised pork’s serving measurement was lavish and coated half the rice. We really neglected its faulty inclusion at first, however the outstanding soya sauce scent clued us in that it was not teriyaki. The pork wasn’t too dry, because of the braising liquid and the pork bits had sufficient sprinklings of fats to make good shao rou.

In case you haven’t been clued in already, Chi Huo’s dishes will not be trustworthy donburi renditions. Bok choy is current in a lot of the rice bowls, an admirable addition to the protein-carb majority.

To my nice shock, the cabbage was well-cooked and decently comfortable right down to the stem so every chew was juicy and didn’t want an excessive amount of chewing. Whereas it wasn’t lots in comparison with the meat and rice, I did come out feeling more healthy because of the convincing magic of placebo.

The rice beneath this stuffed bowl was the true winner. Each grain was coated in the identical braised sauce, contributing to scrumptious spoonfuls even with out accompanying meat. The mellow savoury and candy flavours didn’t impede steady helpings of the rice, and made it so my palate wasn’t oversaturated by the tip.

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Nothing may have ready me for a S$5.50 plate of Rooster Cutlet Curry rice to accommodate such a monstrous quantity of protein. In stark distinction, the downright pitiful pool of curry barely reached 1 / 4 of the plate’s depth.

Regardless of the shallow quantity, its aroma informed of a liberal use of coconut milk.

There have been 2 giant blocks of partially submerged potatoes, the near-mushy texture permitting them to soak up a good quantity of curry. It wasn’t ruinously spicy, which inspired repeated sips. A typical issue between Chi Huo’s Google critiques is reward for his or her curry, and I wholeheartedly agree.

It was a good suggestion to drizzle the cutlet with curry, revitalising it considerably and imbuing the salty crust with the aromatic gravy. After a heap of rooster cutlet and braised pork, I used to be barely match for this large endeavor. It helped that the crispy flakes have been constant all through and the rooster was by no means chewy.

You don’t get the titular curry rice expertise with out drenching one within the different. Sadly, the shallow sea was solely in a position to provide a lot earlier than it ran dry, leaving the remainder of the plain rice with out its light tang and milky consistency. If there had been an choice so as to add extra curry, I’d have gladly finished so.

We found that our final dish, Braised Pork & Fried Ebi Rice (S$6), had change into Teriyaki Rooster & Fried Ebi Rice (S$6). That’s in all probability the place the mix-up occurred with the primary order of Teriyaki Rooster & Rooster Cutlet.

In contrast to the cutlet, the teriyaki rooster was tender and held a refined sweetness that made it arduous to cease after the primary mouthful. Together with rice that had acquired the identical remedy of teriyaki sauce, the mixture of sunshine textures and addicting flavours would have been remarkably mouth-watering had I nonetheless been hungry.

You could be left wanting extra from the fleetingly slim strips of fried ebi, so think about topping up S$3 for one more 3 items. After ending nearly 2 complete dishes myself, I used to be simply glad to have a smaller portion.

The candy ebi meat was encased in a skinny crust that crackled as I picked it up, gracing me with a quick whiff of its oceanic odor as I bit down. The dish positively may do with extra given how they have been practically bite-sized.

A braised egg (together with bok choy) can also be served with this rice bowl.

Ultimate ideas

Honestly, I doubt it might be price making a visit to Taman Jurong Meals Centre for some plain previous rice bowls at Chi Huo. Nevertheless, if I occur to search out myself close by, Chi Huo’s value-for-money and respectable selection are motive sufficient for a return go to. The incorrect orders may have been averted had I clarified simply as soon as.

Curry was undeniably one of the best factor of the rice bowl, adopted carefully by the teriyaki rooster, ebi and braised pork.

In case you’re dashing for time, takeaway doesn’t disappoint both.

Anticipated injury: S$4.50 – S$9

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