I met up with Fiona for dinner today, and she brought me down this little alleyway, where we were faced with a bustling little eatery, packed to the brim with anxious, hungry people.
Being anxiously hungry people ourselves, we decided to order a variety of smaller dishes.
The Olive Fried Rice was lightly savoury, and the Pandan Chicken – marinated chicken thighs wrapped ingeniously in a pandan leaf and then deep fried – was an addictive surprise. The chicken flesh was firm, fragrant and an absolute delight in the mouth. The Seafood Tom Yum Soup was tart with a heat that built up slowly from the throat, and the seafood within was not overcooked, which – considering some seafood soups I’ve had – I consider a feat in itself. The Claypot Glass Noodles with Prawn had a chewy bite to the noodles that I’ve sorely missed, and a deep crustacean flavour and permeated the mouth. And finally, the Cereal Soft Shell Crab. Usually done with prawns, this dish utilises the crispiness of fried oats, the sweetness of malt and dairy creamer, and the savoury spice of chilli and curry leaves, all mixed in with the lovely crispy-on-the-outside, creamy-on-the-inside texture of the soft shell crab. Bad for the heart, but good for the soul.
If you’re in the country, this place is definitely worth a shot. Just remember to come early-ish, because the tables get real crowded real fast, and I don’t think that reservation is really an option on the busy nights.
We ate at:
First Thai Food
23 Purvis St
Singapore 188600
Ph: +65 6339 3123
SO jealous! I’m at home with a bad cold, but would rather be in Singapore with a bad cold and enjoying great food. Enjoy your holiday.