Express Nyonya Fare in a Tingkat.......Singapore

TOP; Left to Right: Steamed Kai Lan, Assam Fish, Ayam Buah Keluak

BOTTOM; Left to Right: Beef Rendang, Chap Chye, Bakwan Kepeting Soup

Inquisitive pairs of eyes study our express Nyonya fare as we tuck into the warm tingkats (tiffin carriers). I used to be in their shoes whenever I walked past this open-concept eatery that has just started in a neighborhood mall. A 30-odd-seater Nyonya hash house outfitted with contemporary furnishings including a massive multi-purpose-counter occupying one third of the shop space serving as a cashier, menu billboard and kitchen. Pay and collect your food when you have chosen your Prix Fixe and you can also add on A la carte dishes if you want to; which we did for variety’s sake. The newly conceived dining concept reminisced the 1950-1960s when Singapore was still very eco-friendly and disposable lunchbox wasn’t brought into the dining scene yet.

  

Food here is kept warm in piping hot steamers with many tiers of storage drawers. Once your order is confirmed, the wait staff will use tongs to take out the pre-cooked tingkat-dishes. Prompt execution of service which saves both time and labor. In addition to walk-in throng, they cater to nearby office horde who desire to lunch-in with the tingkats.

  

At this moment, I personally feel that the dining concept is more inviting than the fare we have. The “Assam Fish” (Steamed fish in tamarind sauce) that arrives with our Prix Fixe unfortunately carries an unmentionable stench; the vegetables for “Chap Chye” (Nyonya-style Stewed Mixed Veg) & “Bakwan Kepeting Soup” (Clear Soup with Signature Meatballs & Bamboo Shoots) are uncouthly chopped which make it difficult for me to chew and enjoy without niggling about the soup spattering onto my top. Also pepper is dusted on our soups before our nods. (I am slightly allergic to pepper as it tends to irritate my throat) The “Ayam Buah Keluak” (Chicken with Buah Keluak, an Indonesian nut in tamarind sauce) comes drenched in an oleaginous gravy and each serving contains one and only precious Buah Keluak which can upset its avid fans. I wish the gravy could have more kick and I believe they are capable of doing better.

  

The “Hee Peow Soup” (Clear Soup with Fish Maw) is already sold out at 7pm on a Thursday evening; much to my disappointment. The second better choice, “Bakwan Kepeting Soup” tastes as good as my grandma’s cauldron. The secret, I guess, is the sprinkling of deep-fried minced garlic bits onto the soup which enhances the flavor, together with the homemade meatballs adding punch to its texture. The blanched “Kai Lan” is kept simple using their in-house sauce to drizzle atop but it tastes crunchily-delectable. The “Beef Rendang” (Beef in dried curry sauce), my fave of all tingkats consists of beef cubes smothered in a seasoned gravy which is definitely commendable.

  

There is still plenty of room for them to work on their food which should be accentuated while the dining concept continues to play a secondary role to its potential success. I hope my second visit, if affinity comes, will leave a deep impact to nod my head for the third one.

  

Where to locate: Tampines Mall, Tingkat Nyonya Express Dining, 4 Tampines Central 5, #B1-K21, Singapore 529510, Tel: 67838140

  

When to go: 11.30am – 9pm daily

  

What’s best liked: All Nyonya Fare are served in tingkats except the drinks; no more waiting for the Chef to heat up his wok

  

What’s least liked: Curious shoppers-by tend to stare at your tingkats, no desserts for the sweet tooth.

  

What’s the Price: SGD 8.90 for 1 Meat Choice + 1 Veg Choice + 1 Soup Choice & Steamed Rice or SGD 9.90 for 1 Seafood Choice + 1 Veg Choice + 1 Soup Choice & Steamed Rice. Add $1 for a drink if you order the Prix Fixe; A la carte dishes from SGD2.90-4.90

PS: The abovementioned eatery is not the same as posted on 20.09.11 under
       "my Dining Spree!"