KIAP KIAP Chicken Club & Bar @ Liang Seah Street - A Playful Take on Fried Chicken and Comfort Food

KIAP KIAP Chicken Club & Bar is a hidden find tucked among the slew of Chinese eateries lining busy Liang Seah Street. The convivial chicken-focused spot is co-founded by three Singaporeans — seasoned F&B professional Lucas Chua, his wife Aderline Che, a former streamer with a knack for building communities, and veteran F&B owner James Wang.

The concept brings together nostalgic childhood favourites, playful takes on familiar comfort food, and of course, their signature secret-recipe fried chicken. The menu is casual and fun, with plenty of options designed for sharing over drinks and a good time.

Fried Chicken with Aji Verde Sauce 4.5/5

The signature fried chicken is definitely one of KIAP KIAP's highlights. We had the Fried Chicken with Aji Verde Sauce ($16), featuring sizeable pieces of deep-fried chicken that are noticeably bigger than what you typically get at fast-food chains. The chicken is fried until golden and crispy on the outside while remaining tender and juicy inside. What makes this version particularly enjoyable is the vibrant Aji Verde Sauce, a creamy Peruvian green sauce with a refreshing, herbaceous character that cuts through the richness of the fried chicken. The combination works surprisingly well, giving the crispy chicken a tangy, creamy and slightly punchy lift.

For those who prefer something more straightforward, the Kiap Kiap Original Fried Chicken ($12) is also available, while the Mentaiko Fried Chicken with Ikura ($18) offers a richer, Japanese-inspired option.

Duck Fat Mala Fried Chicken 3.5/5

Inspired by the many Chinese eateries around Liang Seah Street, KIAP KIAP gives fried chicken a local twist with its Duck Fat Mala Fried Chicken ($14). The chicken is tender and juicy, tossed generously in aromatic mala spice and rich duck fat. It's fragrant and savoury, but the heat is no joke. Even as someone who generally handles spicy food quite well, I found the mala considerably too fiery. The spice intensity made it difficult for me to fully appreciate the juicy fried chicken underneath. I would have preferred a bit more balance, letting the flavour of the chicken and duck fat come through.

King's Truffle Poutine 4.2/5

One side you shouldn't skip is the King’s Truffle Poutine ($20). This playful take on the Canadian comfort food combines crispy French fries and cheese curds with hot brown gravy, but KIAP KIAP takes it several steps further with shaved truffle, beef gravy, Parmesan and a runny egg. The result is rich, indulgent and seriously addictive. The combination of salty fries, creamy cheese, savoury beef gravy and earthy truffle makes this a particularly satisfying sharing dish. Once you break the egg and mix it through, everything comes together into a luscious, messy plate of comfort food. Definitely one to order for the table.

Hot Mozzarella 4/5

The Hot Mozzarella ($12) is another delightful bite. The mozzarella is coated and fried until golden on the outside, giving way to a warm, stretchy and gooey centre when pulled apart. Served with raspberry sauce on the side, the sweet-tart fruitiness contrasts nicely with the rich, savoury fried cheese. It is a simple combination, but the sweet-and-savoury pairing works nicely.

Jenny's Udon 3.8/5

Beyond fried chicken, the menu also reflects the owners’ personal memories and nostalgic favourites. Jenny’s Udon ($12 for chicken, $16 for seafood) is named after James’ mother and is based on a comforting udon dish she used to cook for him. The homestyle stir-fried udon is reminiscent of a hearty plate of Hokkien Mee, with thick and chewy Japanese wheat noodles tossed with the accompanying ingredients. It is comforting and easy to eat, with a familiar quality that makes it feel like a simple home-cooked meal.

However, do not expect a robustly flavoured udon cooked in a rich, prawny stock. This is more like a good plate of stir-fried noodles — straightforward, comforting, and satisfying without being particularly complex.

Signature Milkshake Olive Oil & Sea Salt 4.8/5

One of my favourites from the visit was the Signature Milkshake Olive Oil & Sea Salt ($8). This is a thick and creamy milkshake with a rather unexpected finishing touch — a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. The olive oil adds a subtle fruity richness, while the sea salt balances the sweetness, creating a surprisingly sophisticated take on the classic milkshake. It is rich without being overly sweet, creamy without feeling too heavy, and just plain delicious. I have not had a really good milkshake in a long while, and this was a pleasant surprise.

Banana Pudding 3.8/5

Dessert comes in the form of a caramelised Banana Pudding ($6), which is served tableside. It has an almost Italian-restaurant-style presentation, reminiscent of a tray of tiramisu brought to the table, except here, it is banana pudding. The pudding itself is smooth and velvety, with caramelised banana adding a deeper sweetness and warmth. It is generously finished with crunchy cookie crumble, specifically crushed Biscoff biscuits, which provide a welcome contrast to the soft pudding. It is a comforting and indulgent way to round off the meal.

KIAP KIAP Chicken Club & Bar is an interesting addition to Liang Seah Street, offering something a little different from the cluster of Chinese restaurants that dominate the area. The menu is built around the owners’ personal favourites and childhood memories, with fried chicken as the central focus.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Kiap Kiap Chicken Club & Bar
1 Liang Seah Street
#02-15
Singapore 189022
Tel: +65 9751 2319
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Bugis (DT, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 530pm - 1am
Fri-Sat: 530pm - 2am

Direction:
1) Alight at Bugis MRT Station. Take Exit D. Walk to Tan Quee Lan Street. Take the side lane and walk to the back of Tan Quee Lan Street to Liang Seah Street. At Liang Seah Street, walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Bugis MRT Station. Take Exit C. Walk to North Bridge Road. Cross the road and walk to Liang Seah Street. Walk down Liang Seah Street. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

Pang Zi Durian @ Jurong West - Neighbourhood Durian Specialty Cafe

Looking for durian treats but can't wait for the durian season to arrive? Pang Zi Durian is a neighbourhood durian speciality cafe aiming to offer a wide range of handcrafted durian desserts that contain no preservatives to satisfy your cravings. They've recently launched three new innovative durian creations.

Durian Milkshake 3.5/5

The first dessert we had was their Durian Milkshake ($6.50). It was creamy and smooth, with a thick consistency. Mix the shake thoroughly to enjoy the durian flesh on the bottom. The shake tastes more on the milky end, while the durian notes are much lighter. It can get quite heavy for some, hence would recommend sharing this with a friend.

Mao Shan Wang Spaghettieis 3.8/5

The unique Mao Shan Wang Spaghettieis ($11.90) has pasta-shaped mao shan wang gelato sitting on vanilla cream, with coconut cream and coconut flakes on top. The mao shan wang gelato was rich, while the vanilla cream gave a different dimension to the dessert. We also appreciated the crisp bits of coconut flakes. We recommend sharing this as the sweetness and creaminess can get quite heavy. It melts pretty fast, so digs into it quickly upon serving.

Durian Sticky Rice 4.2/5

Our favourite was the Durian Sticky Rice ($7.90). You have warm glutinous rice served with coconut cream and a generous portion of unadulterated durian flesh. The rice was lovely. It was soft, chewy and fragrant, everything you'd want your sticky rice to be. If you want something not too sweet, this is the one to go for among the three shared here.

Apart from these new creations, Pang Zi Durian also offers other items, like durian puffs, durian mousse, and a range of ice cream flavours such as white coconut, dark chocolate, lychee yuzu, salted caramel popcorn, ondeh ondeh and more.

If you can't pop by their space, Pang Zi Durian also does island-wide delivery at $5 for a minimum spending of $40 and free for orders $80 and above. For Jurong and Bukit Batok residents, you can enjoy free delivery at a minimum of $40.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Pang Zi Durian
Block 492 Jurong West Street 41
#01-18
Singapore 640492
Tel: +65 81939559
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Lakeside (EW Line)

Opening Hours
Daily: 12pm - 10pm

Directions:
1) Alight at Lake Side MRT station. Take Exit A. Cross the road. Walk to bus stop opposite Lakeside MRT station (Stop ID 28099). Take bus number 98 and 187. Alight 4 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Grill Ninety Nine @ Arab Street - Halal Restaurant Offering Quality & Affordable Western Cuisine

Less than 5 minutes walk from Bugis MRT station will bring you to Grill Ninety Nine at Arab Street. Serving western cuisine that is prepared using halal-certified ingredients, Grill Ninety Nine prides itself on its meat offerings, featuring good quality beef and lamb from New Zealand.

Crispy Crab Cakes 4.5/5

Appetisers may not be the primary focus of your meal, but you must try its Crispy Crab Cakes ($12.90) which is also available as a burger variant. When so often crab cakes are loaded with fillers, crusts that are too thick or over-fried even, these were thin and crisp, with the inside moist and well-seasoned to bring out the delicate flavours of the crab leg meat.

Cream of Mushroom 3.5/5

Cream of Mushroom ($6) is made in-house too. I loved the peppery-ness of it, which elevated the aromatic and earthy flavours of the mushrooms. It is very creamy and heavy, hence do share if you are going for it.

Ribeye Steak 4/5

Grill Ninety Nine's signature items are undeniably its steaks, served with a choice of black pepper, mushroom or brown sauce. We tried Ribeye Steak ($29.90 for 200g/ $45 for 425g). Lightly seasoned with salt and pepper, it was skillfully grilled to the doneness we requested. What made it even tastier was the fresh medley of herbs, in particular rosemary, that accented its fats and juice. Steaks are served with either fries or mash potato. We had ours changed to their new side item, sweet potato fries, for tasting purposes. It is available as a side for $9.90.

A highlight on its menu is the offering of Raclette Cheese at $8.90, which you can add as a topping on your mains, be it steak, burger, pasta. Prepared a la minute after your main is served, get your phone ready to capture the wow moment as you see a huge dollop of warm, gooey raclette cheese being scraped and allow to fall onto your plate.

Oven Roasted Angus Beef Ribs 3/5

The much anticipated Oven-roasted Angus Beef Ribs ($49.90) didn't quite hit the mark. The portion definitely sells, which was a feast for the eyes when it was served to us, but the sticky glaze that coated the meat was too sweet, and the meat was not as tender as expected.

Jawbreaker 3.5/5

Moving on to burgers, Jawbreaker ($22) offers your ravenous soul with a triple handmade beef patty piled between freshly baked brioche buns. Each patty is about 150g and in between patties are pickles and inhouse sauces. I like the buns used here, they didn't go all soggy even then they had to hold what was being stuffed between them. The spices and herbs used in the patty flavoured the meat well, but the juiciness of the patties fell short from expectations. Without the natural fats and juice from the meat, it lacked the beefy flavour that I seek. Nacho cheese is used for the burgers here, and personally, I feel that hard cheeses that are sharper in flavours work better in burgers. That said, the whole visual entertainment and satisfaction derived from eating a three-tiered patty burger are still considered tummy and senses filling.

Nutella Brownie Milkshake 3.5/5

On the drinks menu, what stood out is the Nutella Brownie Milkshake ($10) that comes with a rich and moist brownie stick. I think this combination will also work should there be a hot version of it.

Waffle with Ondeh-Ondeh Ice Cream 3.8/5

Desserts are simple, such as cakes, scoops of ice cream or housemade soft-serve ice creams. We tried the combination of Waffle with Ondeh-Ondeh Ice Cream. The waffle was soft with a crispy exterior, and interestingly as they sopped up the ice cream, they attained a slightly chewy texture which accentuated the characteristics of Ondeh Ondeh experience. A handful more grated coconut would have made this dessert more complete.

Written and photography by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Grill Ninety Nine
142 Arab Street
Singapore 199828
Tel: +65 62927363
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily 12pm - 10pm

Direction:
Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk down Victoria Street towards Arab Street. Turn right onto Arab Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Burger Frites @ Joo Chiat Road - Get Your Hands Dirty For Good Ol' Classic Burgers At New Gourmet Burger Joint Opened By French Chef

Following his first Steakhouse success at Braseiro, close to 5 years later, Founder Alexandre Pini opens his new gourmet burger joint, Burger Frites just right across the road along the shophouses of Joo Chiat Road. This cosy restaurant serves up gourmet burgers and homemade fries and has been a popular hangout spot for burger lovers living in the area.

Aiming to break the stereotype of burgers as junk fast food, Burger Frites is a casual burger joint unlike any other by focusing on quality ingredients, sourcing the best U.S. Angus beef patties from the butchery and bread from artisan bakery in Singapore. This is to ensure quality and freshness. They make their own french fries from scratch, and also offers a variety of sauces for a personal touch.

The menu is straightforward and simple, with only beef, chicken, and brie to choose from (each burger at $16++). Customisation is provided on the next step of selection for the addition of cheese at $1++, turkey bacon at $2++, and both cheese and bacon at $3++. There's an option of doubling the patty at $8++ or change your bun to a gluten-free one at $3++. You can choose the sauces to add to the burger as well, at no extra costs!

180G Angus Beef Burger 4.5/5

We went for the Beef Burger with Cheese and Bacon (with added cheese and bacon $19++) which looked sinfully good with its huge 180g Angus beef patty, layered with melted cheddar and bacon slices, tomatoes, lettuce and pickles in between perfectly fluffy and soft brioche buns. Done medium rare, the beef patty was nicely cooked with the right amount of fattiness in it and boasts a superb tenderness and juiciness. Even though the accompanying flavours didn't stand out as much with the main star being the 180g Angus beef patty stealing the show with loads of its juicy beef flavours, overall, I was impressed with their excellent rendition of the beef burger. Definitely one of the best beef burgers if you're looking for something classic and unpretentious.

Crispy Chicken Burger 3.8/5

Different from what you might expect for a Chicken burger, the Crispy Chicken Burger (with added cheese $17++) here is served with four strips of crispy chicken tenders stacked on top of each other. While we loved the crispiness of the meat that goes well with the fluffy milky buns, we felt that the chicken tenders were too dry for our liking. Add on some fries ($4++) on the side to go with your burgers. Those homemade hand-cut potato strips were twice-fried - fluffy, but not as crispy as we hoped. It's still a joy pairing them with the different sauces available, such as the flavourful black pepper cream.

Coconut Milkshake 4/5, Homemade Ice Lemon Tea 4/5

From the drinks menu, we had the Coconut Milkshake ($9++) and Homemade Ice Lemon Tea ($5++). For something more indulgent, go for the milkshake option. They have 6 different milkshake flavours (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, coconut, speculoos and pistachio). Thick and creamy, the milkshake was flavourful with the fragrant taste of coconut yet not too overwhelming.

Photos and words by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Burger Frites
340 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427592
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Dakota (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 5 - 11pm
Sat-Sun: 12pm - 11pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Dakota MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Block 99 (Stop ID 81181). Take bus number 16. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Shake Shack @ Jewel Changi Airport Singapore - First Southeast Asia Outlet With Exclusive Items

The long wait is over as Shake Shack opens its door at Jewel Changi Airport Singapore, the first in Southeast Asia. The queue also has significant shorten since its opening back on 17 April 2019.

Same as the other outlets around the world, Shake Shack Singapore's menu will feature their signature items such as the ShackBurger, Shack-cago Dog, classic crinkle-cut fries, craft beer, wine and frozen custard ice cream.

Shake Shack Singapore has also introduced exclusive items such as the Pandan Shake and unique local flavoured frozen custard ice cream (Jewela Melaka, It Takes Two to Mango and Shack Attack).

Classic Crinkle-Cut Fries

What is so special about the Classic Crinkle-Cut Fries? The grooves and cuts on the fries actually give it a crispier texture while allowing it to pick up more of the ketchup and cheese sauce. Shake Shack actually took this off their menu but was not well received. In the end, they have to bring it back.

ShackBurger

If you are a first-timer at Shake Shack, then the ShackBurger is a must-order. The cheeseburger comes with soft pillowy potato buns that are sandwiched with tender, juicy US Angus beef patty that has been grilled to a nice medium. It also comes with lettuce, tomato and a savoury secret ShackSauce that bind the whole burger together.

Shroom Burger

For the vegetarian, there is there Shroom Burger. Even the non-vegetarian me loves it too. The burger comes with crisp-fried portobello mushroom filled with melted Colby Cheese, Monterey Kack and Tilsite Cheese, topped with lettuce, tomato and ShackSauce.

Comparing notes with fellow foodie friends that have tried Shack Shake overseas, we felt that the burgers here tasted better. We are surprised!

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Shake Shack
Jewel Changi Airport Singapore
78 Airport Boulevard
#02-256
Singapore 819666
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Changi Airport (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

Direction:
Alight at Changi Airport MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Walk to the link bridge to Jewel. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Three Buns Quayside @ The Quayside - Potato Head Family's First Stand-alone Restaurant For Their Award-Winning Burgers

Three Buns Quayside is Potato Head Family's first stand-alone location in Singapore for their award-winning burger and cocktail brand. This new home in Robertson Quay features a newly curated menu with a combination of exclusive items and popular signatures, alongside with weekend brunch menu and crafted tropical cocktails.

Aligned with Potato Head Family ethos of “Good Times, Do Good”, the 80-seat burger bar is fitted with upcycled interiors from bottom up. You will find yourself walking on eco-friendly cement, sitting and dining on sustainably made furniture handcrafted by Indonesian artisans.

All burgers here are made from scratch, and by that they mean 95% of the menu handmade including ketchup! That's possible because Executive Chef Adam has honed his craft at Lonsdale in London which is known for making burgers from scratch. Each patty is made from two prime cuts of grass-fed Australian meat, seasoned with kosher salt and that's it. What bind the buns and patties together are the homemade sauces such as the piquant Three Islands Mayo (mayo, ketchup, sriracha), premium cheeses from US, UK and Greece, and really interesting relish which you will find out as you make your way into the burgers.

Bun DMC 3.8/5

The new burgers are exclusive to this outlet, and there seems to be a head-to-head battle between Bun DMC ($16) and Da Cheese Master ($15). Bun DMC stood out with its refreshing home-made watermelon rind relish and bore an interesting identity with the layer of bawang goreng (fried shallots) sprinkled on top of the onion puree. The Three Islands Mayo (mayo, ketchup, sriracha) is creamy, sweet with a hint of spice, bringing all the ingredients together with the help of the sharp melted cheese.

Da Cheese Master 3.8/5

Da Cheese Master was fun and messier with gooey double cheddar and homemade ketchup. The double cheddar wasn't too strong, it only made this burger hearty and finger-linking good. The humble ketchup really brought the ingredients together. It was sweet and tangy, and worked well with the charred onions in supporting the black Angus beef patty.

Red Man 3.8/5

There is a reason why Red Man Burger (Beef Rendang) ($28) is priced much higher than the rest. Between the special coconut buns is a slab of beef cheek which has been sous vide for 24 hours in a sweet and spicy blend of over 10 spices and ingredients that has been stewed for 2 hours. My teeth sunk through the beef cheeks as I took a bite. The sauce was robust but not at all overpowering. I love the pickled cucumber and slaws at both side of the beef cheeks which brighten up the taste. However, at some point, I felt the meat had lost a little of its natural juice and flavour, perhaps as a result of sous vide. I couldn't really taste the coconut profile of the buns either, which is a pity. Overall, beef cheeks may still be best to stand as a dish in its own rather than in a burger.

Smokin-B-Boy 3.5/5

Smokin-B-Boy is Potato Head's signature burger with the classic combination of smokey bacon and beef patty. Again, the sauce in between heighten the profile of the meat. My vote still goes to either Bun DMC and Da Cheese Master, for that piquancy which is missing in this classic.

Truffello 3/5

Truffello ($15) is a meat-free burger with Portobello mushrooms replacing the beef patty. As much as I like the pickled onions and cold slaw in between, it hasn't changed my mind towards a meat-free burger. I still see it as a healthy, mushroom sandwich.

Truffle Hound 2.8/5

Seng Dog 2.8/5

A few new bites to go with your drinks. Truffle Hound ($15) and Seng Dog ($12). Once can choose between beef or chicken sausage. If you really want to try a hotdog, then the latter may be a better choice with its matcha bun.

Miso Dirty Fries 3/5

What's more exciting than those hotdogs are these Miso Dirty Fries ($9) and Naughty Fries. The fries are fried potato slices, first comes dressed in miso béarnaise, smoked chicken sausage, chicken floss, chives, scallions and pickle chilli, while the latter is topped with ayam chicken, marinated in a spicy and tangy Korean BBQ sauce. Albeit the overly seasoned potatoes, both are great change from the usual bites.

Crackalacka Corn 3/5

As for the Crackalacka Corn, you can throw that in if you want to boost your vegetables intake.

Somebody told me that burgers and milkshakes together is one of the best marriages ever, and Three Buns’ elevates that with two new boozy milkshakes – the bananas-based 3 Monkeys ($18) and chocolate-filled Aye Sailor ($18) made with house-made vanilla ice cream. 3 Monkeys is definitely sugar overloaded hence i would recommend Aye Sailor for its rich chocolaty taste enhanced by chocolate bitters. Non-alcoholic version is available as while, great for the kids for families coming for their weekend brunch.

Sticky Icky Wicky 3/5

A few desserts available to sweeten up your meals, though I feel I rather have my indulgent milkshake. Never mind the rest and go for the Sticky Icky Wicky, a sticky pudding that comes piping hot with a layer of caramelized gula melaka which cools and releases the sweetness in your mouth as the ice cream melts.

As mentioned, brunch is available as well, on every Saturday and Sunday from 11am-4pm. What caught my eyes was Beet It. The striking pink hues atop of the salmon toast is beets & horseradish, which is really rare to find in Singapore and it costs a premium to bring fresh horseradish in. Blueberry Basic ($15) is buttermilk pancakes with not your maple syrup but a special housemade sauce made with vanilla salt, vanilla pods, thyme and coffee ground. So, nothing here is that basic afterall.

Photos and words by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Three Buns Quayside
60 Robertson Quay
#01-01
Singapore 238252
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT Line, NE Line), Fort Canning (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Fri: 5pm - 12midnight
Sat-Sun: 11am - 12midnight
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop along Upper Cross Road, Opposite Subordinate Court (Stop ID 06171). Take bus number 51 or 186. Alight1 stops later. Cross the road. Cross the river and walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Fort Canning MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to junction of River Valley Road and Clemenceau Avenue. Cross the road. Turn left and walk to the river. At the river, turn right and walk down the river. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]