While the stall only opens at 7pm or so, you may see a line forming here from 6:30pm or even earlier.
Nestled in the Tanglin Halt Food Centre, Chef Hainanese Western Food 海南西餐 is one of the most visited stalls to dabao Hainanese style Western food for dinner, and for a very good reason.
A father-and-son team helms the stall, and you would find the calling and cooking in clock-work efficiency. I read somewhere that the son used to work in restaurants.
You will find traditional Hainanese style food with authentic Western flavours that are wholesome and filling.
The price is quite affordable, but due to the limited working hours and only dinner time servings, customers are often welcomed by snaking long queues (and yes, please maintain your social distance).
Here’s the thing: After you make your orders along with the rest of the customers, it is hard to ascertain when your food will come. I would recommend you taking note who is in front of you.
Also uncle may look slightly grumpy and intimidating, but I hear speaking to him in Hainanese would make him friendlier (that’s if you know how to speak the dialect).
If you are really hungry and love a big portion, the four Chef Sets (priced at $10 each) with various combinations of half spring chicken, grilled chicken, grill fish, pork chop and sausage would satisfy that.
Their Mixed Grill Platters ($10) are very popular, which offers a serving of pork chop, tender chicken chops, fish cutlet and chicken sausage.
Along with the meats, there was a dollop of coleslaw, baked beans, baked potato and crinkle cut fries. It’s a lot for one person, so make sure you bring your appetite with you.
While I am never that a fan of Grilled Pork Chop due to possible tough meat and slight gamey taste, this stall offers one of the best versions at $6.
All in all, tender and well-marinated meat with a subtle grilled taste and a citrusy tang from the sauce.
Also because I never had pork chop from a hawker stall this thick yet tender.
Along with the meats, there was a dollop of coleslaw, baked beans, baked potato and crinkle cut fries. It’s a lot for one person, so make sure you bring your appetite with you.
Okay, comparatively while the Grilled Chicken Chop ($6) was also succulent and all, there are other stalls in Singapore which are comparable.
Worthy of mention is also the baked jacket potatoes on the side, done with crispy skin and fluffy interior. Where do you find such stuff at this price nowadays?
Old-school flavours, generous portion, the only thing holding me back is the long queue and longer wait.
Oh yes, it is only opened 2 hours a day, closed on Thurs.
Chef Hainanese Western Food 海南西餐
Tanglin Halt Food Centre, 1A Commonwealth Dr, #01-04 141001, Singapore 141001
Opening Hours: 7pm – 9pm (Mon – Wed, Fri – Sun), Closed Thurs
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