Aside from its signature Soya Sauce Chicken, its SM MOA branch offers new and reinterpreted Singaporean dishes such as the Braised Fried Silken Tofu, Kailaan (Chinese broccoli) with Fried Garlic, Marinated Soft-boiled Egg and the delightful Ice Kachang for diners to enjoy.
By Reggie Abang
Two years after Hawker Chan temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Singaporean restaurant reopens its doors today, September 1, at SM Mall of Asia.
But before it welcomes back those who want to taste its signature Soya Sauce Chicken Rice, a dish that earned for the restaurant chain a Michellin Star, Hawker Chan gives this writer a taste of what it plans to offer diners from this day forward.
The transition begins immediately as you enter its new restaurant. In lieu of bright colors, for instance, Hawker Chan’s SM MOA address exudes with warmth and elegance due primarily to its use of earth tones and minimalist furniture pieces. If anything, the look signals its transition from being a fast food restaurant into a casual, but upgraded dining spot, giving its customers a whole new level of experience.
But what about the dishes? Diners, we’re happy to report, have plenty of sweet and savory treats to look forward to.
For starters, its Braised Fried Silken Tofu melts in your mouth, while the seasoned Kailaan (Chinese broccoli) with Fried Garlic is crunchy with a bit of bitterness. If you’re craving for something a tad salty, the Marinated Soft-boiled Egg is for you. All of these dishes, by the way, are served in a delectable broth.
For meat lovers, its Roast Meat Platter is sure to bring out the carnivore in you—in a good way. The dish, which is meant for sharing, consists of Hawker Chan’s signature and tender-to-the-bone Soya Sauce Chicken, Char Siew Pork with smoky sweet sauce and Roasted Pork, which is crispy on the outside and tender, juicy and a tad salty in the inside.
The platter also has char kway teow, stir-fried flat rice noodles, Chinese sausage, eggs and fresh vegetables with a hint of spice that makes you want to eat more.
Then, the restaurant served me a sample of its Roast Duck, their newest addition to their menu. The duck has crispy skin and, compared to the chicken and pork, thicker, juicier meat.
To conclude my experience, I capped off the meal with Ice Kachang. Malaysia’s version of our halo-halo consists of sweetened milky shaved ice smothered with chendol, red monggo paste, creamed corn, peanuts and, to give it a Pinoy touch, gulaman cubes.
Hawker Chan also offers its take on Hainanese Chicken, as well as the stir-fried char siew noodle loaded with pork and fresh vegetables and chendol. The latter is a fairly new Singaporean dessert made of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. It also offers a variety of noodle soups and laksa.
With a new ambiance and extended menu, Hawker Chan’s SM Mall of Asia branch is poised to give its eager patrons a taste of Singapore with a more upmarket dining experience.
Hawker Chan is located at the Level 1 North Wing, Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia Complex.
