Checking Out Chomp Chomp Hawker Centre
Ask any local where is the best place in Singapore to go for the real hawker experience and he’ll throw out a few classics – Newton Circus, Maxwell Road, Old Airport Road. But any foodie worth his salt will know there’s only one name worth knowing: Chomp Chomp.
An oldie but a goodie, this gastronomic gem in Serangoon Gardens has plenty of tasty local nosh to get your taste buds tingling (and singing) in one bite. But lest the mind-boggling array of choices overwhelm you, here’s a handy guide to the top five must-try dishes at Chomp Chomp. Pack your tissues; you’ll be working up a sweat in no time!
Carrot Cake
No, we’re not talking about the sweet kind with a cream cheese frosting. Carrot cake, of the local variety, comprises fried white radish, usually served with a sweet black sauce. Don’t be fooled by its less-than-appetising appearance. Tuck into some of the finest carrot cake in Singapore at Chomp Chomp and you’ll find it dangerously moreish.
Must-try: the aptly named Carrot Cake store (#01-36).
BBQ Stingray
Moist and succulent with just the right amount of spiciness, barbequed stingray and Chomp Chomp is a match made in foodie heaven. Served with a fragrant sambal chilli sauce, this dish definitely packs a punch. Granted, it’s too spicy for the little ones, so all the more for Mum and Dad!
Must-try: Chomp Chomp Hai Wei Yuan Seafood Barbecue (#01-01).
Satay Bee Hoon
Satay bee hoon is a true-blue local creation that serves rich peanut gravy over a bed of silky rice vermicelli noodles. Coupled with fresh cockles, cuttlefish, and prawns, and you’ve got one killer dish on a plate. The title for Best Satay Bee Hoon in Singapore is a hotly contested one, but many will argue that it can be found right in the heart of Chomp Chomp.
Must-try: Chomp Chomp Satay Bee Hoon (#01-17).
BBQ Chicken Wings
Here’s a classic that littlies will tuck into with gusto. After all, who doesn’t love chicken wings? We know we do! The chicken wings at Chomp Chomp are barbequed to crispy perfection and the best part, they’ll only set you back $1.20 apiece – score!
Must-try: Chong Pang Huat (#01-26).
Oyster Omelette
Better known as ‘orh luak’ in the local lingua franca, the oyster omelette may be an acquired taste. But once you acquire it, boy it’s hard to stop at just one. The fried oyster omelettes at Chomp Chomp are thick, fluffy and better than any frittata you’ll ever taste. Trust us – we’ve stuffed ourselves silly trying them all (in the name of research, of course!).
Must-trys: Ang Sa Lee (#01-33) and Carrot Cake (#01-36)
Bonus: Soy Beancurd
When the stifling heat and smokiness of Chomp Chomp gets you hot under the collar, there’s no better way to cool down than with a bowl of soy beancurd. Freshly made with a nice smooth texture, it’s the perfect way to cap off your gastronomic feast. Bonus: it comes in a variety of flavours, from almond and bandung, to chocolate, strawberry, mango and honeydew.
Must-try’s: Chomp Chomp Cold Soya Beancurd (#01-09) and Yimuang (#01-10).
Bonus: Sugarcane Juice
You can’t have a feast at Chomp Chomp without a glass of freshly squeezed sugarcane juice. It’s practically mandatory. Bottom’s up!
Must-try: Ding Hao Sugarcane Juice (#01-21).
Tips & Tricks to Chomp Chomp
– It gets very crowded during dinnertime, especially on weekends. Head down there early (before 7pm), or else you may have a 40 minute wait for your meal.
– Due to its cramped layout, getting a table at Chomp Chomp is particularly difficult. Best to leave your strollers behind and strap on a baby harness.
– Don’t be surprised if your asthma acts up at Chomp Chomp; it can get very smokey. Try to grab a table alfresco or be prepared to stink of fried char kway teow at the end of the night.
Chomp Chomp Food Centre, 20 Kensington Park Rd, Singapore 557269.