The Fork and Chopstick

The Fork and Chopstick To highlight the off the beaten path, heritage, or just plain fun chomping grounds

Written by and Photography by Jenni & Eric Lee

The Coconut Club 28 Ann Siang Rd, Singapore 069708

Tuesday and Saturday Lunch Chomp: What - are you kidding me - $12.80 for a nasi lemak?! Yes, we waited in line for 30 minutes for an expensive nasi lemak. The American equivalent of this would be waiting in line for 30 minutes for a $20 hot dog. So what would make you want to do this? The chance to enjoy one of the finer examples of local Singapore/Malay everyday food. It is definitely possible to get nasi lemak in hawker centres for less - way, way less. But the nasi lemak at The Coconut Club is the kind of dish that shows you how something should taste if you pay attention to the details. What are those details? Freshness of the creamy coconut milk used for the rice; close attention to the cooking of the rice so it's fluffy and not sticky; frying the ikan bilis so they are crispy, not hard; roasting the peanuts so their flavor stands out; and creating a balanced sambal that is spicy, salty and sweet - even taking care that the yolk on the fried egg is still runny. These finer points are before we've even gotten to the juicy and crispy fried chicken! For sides, the Kang Kong was excellent, with wellpartnered spicy and salty sambal belacan. The squid (sambal sotong $8.50) was very fresh and served with sambal. The cendol certainly gave the nasi lemak a run for its money. Again, you can get a cendol just about everywhere, but the care and attention to ingredients by The Coconut Club chefs makes all the difference. Gula melaka had a natural, slightly smoky molasses sweetness while the cendol had a natural green, with a distinct pandan flavor. Their smooth local kopi (coffee, $2.50) also provided a satisfying finish to the meal.

www.awasingapore.org Ambience/Decor/Service: Vibrant ambience; contemporary and nostalgic at the same time. Attentive and friendly service. Servers are happy to explain the dishes and make recommendations. Rant & Rave: Their passion certainly shines through. The chef was inspired to perfect the dish after attending a nasi lemak convention in Kuala Lumpur a few years ago. (On a sad note, the co-founder passed away only recently at the young age of 40.) During peak times, the wait can be quite long and the noise level very high. The Coconut Club shot to fame after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong hosted a foreign visiting dignitary there, and it is included in the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand. What Others Are Saying: 4.3 on Google reviews and 4 on Yelp (out of 5 stars). “You know those restaurants that do just one dish, but do it phenomenally well? This is one of those places.” “Super fragrant rice with rich coconut taste.” “The skin is crispy and meat is tender.” Pre/Post Meal: There is no shortage of watering holes around the corner on Club Street. The Singapore City Gallery is on the same street. Explore Chinatown and Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, along with Sri Mariamman Temple nearby. Happy Chomping!

Jenni & Eric Lee live to eat and explore local eateries and bars. Originally from New York, they have lived in Singapore since 2012.