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Tender braised pork stomach rice bowls with distinctive mentaiko model

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I’m HUGE on lu rou fan. My private document? Devouring 10 bowls on a visit to Taipei — rookie numbers, maybe, however you get the gist. Nonetheless, in my obsession with Taiwan-style lu rou fan, I’ve discovered myself a little bit responsible of neglecting the native rendition in any other case often known as kong bak png

To offer it the find it irresistible deserves, I figured that there was no higher stall to patronise than Daring x Braised. Positioned within the ever-popular Maxwell Meals Centre, the stall serves up a spread of local-style braised pork rice bowls.

Bold x Braised - Stallfront

Daring x Braised made headlines in Mar 2024 for its weekend-long pop-up in collaboration with Chef Dario Cecchini of “World’s Biggest Butcher” fame. Though the signage continues to be intact, the event-exclusive paninis are now not on the market, in fact.

What you’ll discover, although, is a line-up of braised meat bowls with a preparation course of that utilises each a part of the pig. Mr Alvan Chew, the mastermind behind Daring x Braised, firmly believes in nose-to-tail cooking and minimises waste wherever he can. 

Oh, Mr Chew himself has been the topic of varied function articles, too. Previously a Singapore Airways air steward, he left the airline business in pursuit of a profession within the hawker discipline. With the culinary expertise he gained from serving to out at a good friend’s braised meat stall, he kickstarted Daring x Braised as a home-based lor bak enterprise. 

He later arrange store in Amoy Road Meals Centre earlier than shifting to Maxwell Meals Centre the place the stall nonetheless stands at this time. Positioned alongside the identical stretch as rooster rice powerhouse Tian Tian Rooster Rice, it’s not a troublesome discover.

What I attempted at Daring x Braised

Having achieved a little analysis previous to my go to, I used to be all set to order the bak kut teh and deep-fried pork stomach. Alas, the previous was struck off the menu with an ‘Unavailable’ sticker, whereas the latter was nowhere to be discovered.

Bold x Braised - Mentaiko Belly Bowl

Alright then. I proceeded with the one bowl that I had been which means to order anyway: the Mentaiko Stomach Bowl. I opted for the Set (S$8), which incorporates braised tau kwa, tau pok and an entire braised egg along with the mentaiko-laden pork stomach served with rice and cucumber slices.

For the document, the bowl with out add-ons prices S$6. I used to be in it for a heartier meal and—I suppose—a extra well-rounded assessment, although.

Bold x Braised - Mentaiko Belly Bowl

The bowl’s most hanging function was positively the mentaiko sauce that blanketed the braised pork stomach. The coral pink layer sported a shiny sheen, its floor dotted with tantalising brown flecks. Clearly, it had been flame-seared — a lot to my delight.

As a lot because the mighty mentaiko pleases the attention, the concept of mixing it with braised pork stomach may admittedly increase some eyebrows. Properly, I’m right here to inform you: don’t knock it till you’ve tried it!

The creamy, piquant mentaiko rendered an appropriate distinction to the earthy and barely candy braised pork stomach. Nonetheless, the tangy profile bought considerably overwhelming with the copious quantity of sauce, drowning out the flavours of the braise. Nonetheless, this challenge was simply remedied by pairing it with a spoonful of rice doused within the mildly natural gravy.

Bold x Braised - Mentaiko Belly Bowl

The stand-out factor of the dish was the pork stomach. These succulent and tender hunks of meat had an ideal steadiness of leanness and fattiness, requiring minimal jaw motion to work by means of. To high all of it off, the portion supplied wonderful worth for my cash.

Bold x Braised - Braised Taupok, Tau kwa, Egg

Whereas the standard of the braise was actually discernible within the braised meat, it was the tasty add-ons that really made the dish shine.

I significantly loved the braised tau kwa. The dense beancurd held a mushy firmness that was virtually pillowy; every slice had a mildly nutty flavour profile, splendidly infused with the candy and natural notes of the braise. The fragile and spongy tau pok absorbed the gravy properly, too.

One minor gripe I had was with the hard-boiled egg. Leaning a little bit towards overcooked, its grainy yolk and rubbery white texture actually weren’t the perfect enhances to the dish. It will’ve been excellent if Daring x Braised had used a jammy onsen or soft-boiled egg as an alternative.

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Bold x Braised - Belly Bowl

Shifting on, I bought the Stomach Bowl (S$6) — a traditional kong bak png with out the mentaiko sauce and add-ons, as a result of we might all the time use some good measure. Served in a disposable paper bowl, the dish paled appearance-wise compared to its Mentaiko counterpart; it lacked the pop of pink from the sauce.

That apart, I might now admire the pork stomach in its full glory. There the slices sat, glistening in thick brown gravy.

Bold x Braised - Belly Bowl

Daring x Braised clearly is aware of simply the best minimize to pair with every bowl. I observed that the pork stomach right here was of a fattier minimize than that within the Mentaiko Stomach Bowl, which I presume utilised leaner cuts to raised maintain the sauce. Wow, speak about realizing your meat!

Every morsel was a hefty 3 layers — tender meat sandwiched between alternating layers of fats. Whereas I’m often (very) averse to thick layers of fats, I discovered myself shovelling the items down with ease. Right here, the fats was of an exceptionally creamy melt-in-the-mouth high quality, devoid of any disagreeable oiliness and gaminess.

I additionally very a lot appreciated that I might savour the braised meat in all its unadulterated glory right here compared to the Mentaiko model.

Remaining Ideas

Bold x Braised - Overview of dishes

My meal at Daring x Braised was nothing in need of hearty and I positively left with a rekindled appreciation for local-style kong bak png.

Though the unconventional mixture of mentaiko and braised meat within the Mentaiko Stomach Bowl labored higher than I had anticipated, I felt that the great ol’ Stomach Bowl higher showcased Daring x Braised’s braising prowess. I suppose I very a lot am a lu rou purist.

Anticipated injury: S$5 – S$10 per pax

14 stalls at Maxwell Meals Centre in Singapore to eat at that gained’t max out your pockets

Worth: $

Our Score: 4 / 5

Daring x Braised

1 Kadayanallur St, Maxwell Meals Centre, #01-43, Singapore 069184

Worth

Our Score 4/5

Daring x Braised

1 Kadayanallur St, Maxwell Meals Centre, #01-43, Singapore 069184

Phone: +65 8884 2796

Working Hours: 11am – 8pm (Sat to Thu), Closed on Fri



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