The Chir Cafe + Bar @ Holland Village – Brand New Korean Fusion Concept Dishing Up Brunch, Dinner, And All-day Pastas

Cafe by day and resto-bar by night, The Chir Cafe + Bar is an all-new eatery opening at Holland Village just late last year. The same folks who brought popular South Korean fried chicken franchise, Chir Chir Fusion Chicken Factory to Singapore, conceptualised it. The menu is a fun, eclectic fusion of Korean and Western cuisines.

Chir Chicken Croffle 4.2/5

Available for Brunch and Dinner, the Chir Chicken Croffle ($17.50) features succulent deep-fried chicken thigh and fluffy golden-brown croffles. Interestingly, the waffles are baked using croissant dough, which makes it fluffy and chewy inside, yet crispy and flaky on the outside, akin to a croissant. Drizzle some homemade maple butter syrup, and it makes for a scrumptious sweet-and-savoury pairing.

Fondue Chicken Burger 4/5

The Fondue Chicken Burger ($15.50) comes with a juicy slab of fried chicken thigh, grilled pineapple, onion marmalade and fresh rocket, sandwiched between toasted burger buns. The entire stack is then doused in a nacho cheese sauce and served with a side of shoestring fries - an ultimate dream for the cheese lovers. The Fondue Chicken Burger is available for Brunch and Dinner.

Three Mushroom Truffle Pasta 4/5

The Three Mushroom Truffle Pasta ($18.50) features al dente linguine with a creamy and fragrant black truffle cream sauce clinging to its every strand. A mix of juicy shiitake, button, and portobello mushrooms complete this classic truffle pasta dish.

Cheese Spam Fries 3.8/5

For sides, we had the Cheese Spam Fries ($14). The thick strips of fried spam are fried nicely with a crispy exterior and fluffy insides. It is perfectly paired with some ranch cheese sauce.

Iced Sea Salt Caramel Latte 3.8/5, Summer Cooler 4/5

On top of the standard lattes and cappuccinos, customers can also find unconventional concoctions, such as the Sea Salt Caramel Latte ($6.50 for iced). The fragrant caramel infused espresso is topped with freshly crushed sea salt. Craft beers and soju are also available by the bottle, while house pour red and white wines can be purchased by the glass ($15) or bottle ($70). We had the Summer Cooler ($16), a refreshing cocktail with sweet fruity notes from the green grape soju, perfect for unwinding over the rich, hearty dishes.

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.


The Chir Cafe + Bar
Holland Village
26A Lorong Mambong
Singapore 277685
Tel: +65 62359950
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Nearest MRT: Holland Village (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am - 1030pm
Sat-Sun: 930am - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Holland Village MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Lorong Liput. Walk down Lorong Luput. Turn right onto Lorong Mambong. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Whampoa Keng @ Geylang Road - Opens Their 2nd Outlet In Geylang At The Corner Of Lorong 28

Whampoa Keng at Balestier Road has been a household in Singapore for their fish head steamboat. Fans of their fish head steamboat will be glad to know that they have opened a second outlet in Geylang. Besides the signature fish head steamboat, the restaurant also offers a variety of zichar dishes to complete the meal.

Signature Fish Head Steamboat Red Garoupa 4.2/5

We have to have their Signature Fish Head Steamboat when we visit Whampoa Keng. Diners can choose to have pomfret, red garoupa or batang sliced fish for the fish head steamboat. We had the Red Garoupa ($45/$55/$65/$75) for its chunky and firmer texture. Their fish head steamboat comes in 4 sizes (small, medium, large and x-large) too. We enjoyed the hearty and comforting soup, which also comes with yam, cabbage and seaweed. Compare to their balestier outlet, I thought the soup today is slightly on the sweet side, and the dried sole fish is not prominent. I still enjoy the fish head steamboat, just that I am picking bones as I have tried their original outlet, and I want them to improve.

Signature Crab Meat Foodstreet Tofu in Gravy 4.2/5

Besides the signature fish head steamboat, we also had a couple of their zichar dishes to complete the meal. The first dish we tried is the Signature Crab Meat Foodstreet Tofu in Gravy ($14/$20/$26). I love the accompany gravy with crabmeat complementing the silky tofu.

Deep Fried Nan Ru Pork Belly 3.5/5

The Deep Fried Nan Ru Pork Belly ($16/$24) was slightly disappointing for me. I am a big fan of fermented beancurd, and I thought the flavour didn't quite stand out to win over my tummy.

Sweet & Sour Spare Ribs with Golden Crispy Cod Strips 4.2/5

The Sweet & Sour Spare Ribs with Golden Crispy Cod Strips ($16/$24) is not new to me. I have eaten it elsewhere, and I have to say Whampoa Keng did an excellent job. The spare rib is tender and juicy, while not overly sweet. The crispy cod strips provided extra textural enjoyment.

Poached Chinese Spinach with Assorted Egg 4.5/5

Another dish that I find Whampoa Keng did very well is the Poached Chinese Spinach with Assorted Egg ($14/$21). The flavoursome soupy broth together with the century egg, salted duck egg and fresh chicken egg enliven a simple poached vegetable dish. 

Claypot Indonesian Style Chicken 4/5

It is my first time having the Claypot Indonesian Style Chicken ($16/$24). It looks similar to 3 cups chicken, but the sauce is very different. The chicken is first fried to crisp and then tossed in a special Indonesian sauce with curry leaves.

Diners who have been to their Balestier outlet will know that it is always very crowded. Not many people are aware of the new outlet yet. So if you want to avoid the crowd, you can come here. They are opened until 1am daily. It is another excellent supper place for those staying in the East.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Whampoa Keng
512/514 Geylang Road
Singapore 389468
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Nearest MRT: Aljunied (EW Line), Paya Lebar (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 5pm - 1am

Direction:
1) Alight at Aljunied MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk straight to Sims Ave. Cross the road. Walk along Geylang Lorong 25 to Geyland Road. Cross the road and turn left. Walk down Geylang Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Paya Lebar MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Paya Lebar MRT station (Stop ID 81111). Take bus number 137. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]