Wallet-friendly Western Asian fusion meals with huge rooster chops

Having been spoilt by extra trendy hawker stalls that supply gourmand burgers and restaurant-quality Western meals, I’ve elected to return to fundamentals and check out Brostern, a Western stall situated at Ci Yuan Hawker Centre.

Brostern was based in 2020 by 4 “bros” who knew one another ever since major college. It began when 2 of them have been jobless as a result of growth of COVID-19 while the others have been on the fringes of dropping their jobs for a similar purpose. With a contribution of S$3,000 every, they efficiently opened Brostern.

In an interview with Berita Harian, the 4 associates defined that their purpose to maintain Brostern as inexpensive as potential stemmed from wanting to provide the younger and unemployed an opportunity to get good Western meals, and in addition those that are affected by the pandemic as they themselves have gone by means of.

What I attempted at Brostern 

Unsurprisingly, Brostern’s menu is extra assorted than your commonplace hawker centre Western affair. It has the anticipated Chicken Chop (S$6.50), Chicken Cutlet (S$6.50) and Fish & Chips (S$7). 

However, a big a part of the menu additionally consists of Western Asian fusion dishes similar to Lemak Chili Padi Pasta (S$7) and Tom Yum Pasta (S$7). There are additionally different dishes like their very personal tackle roti john with flavours like Creamy Mushroom (S$7) and John Tarik (S$7.50).

Based on the cashier’s suggestion, I opted for the Chicken Chop and the Volcano (S$7.50) sliders. After my meal, I had the Seafood Aglio Olio (S$7) as a takeaway.

The Chicken Chop regarded precisely like some other hawker centre’s rooster chop with one huge distinction. The measurement of the rooster was absurd — it was virtually so long as the plate! The sauce was additionally thicker than anticipated with slices of onion and visual peppercorns. The french fries and the coleslaw then again have been established order.

There was a good bit of ready time of round quarter-hour for each of my orders. It wasn’t notably packed that afternoon and a few on-line opinions have reported ready for 45 minutes. But if the meals is nice (spoilers: it’s) then let persistence be a advantage.

Does measurement matter if it tastes good (referring to the rooster)? Brostern’s Chicken Chop effortlessly solutions the age-old query, with tender and juicy rooster that might simply be handed off as two separate parts for many Western stalls. 

The viscous black pepper sauce additionally had a welcome warmth and a few sweetness to put you in a hypnotic state the place you wouldn’t wish to put your utensils down. Gone are the times of watery and murky brown sauce that tasted of literal salt.

The fries have been simply okay — crispy however missing in salt. A splash of that black pepper sauce would have made a world of a distinction. I used to be by no means a fan of coleslaw to start with, and after having a nibble of it, my opinion nonetheless stands.

Up subsequent was the Volcano slider however they need to actually name them burgers at this level. The bun and patty have been coated in nacho cheese with sprinkles of chilli flakes on high. I had the do-it-yourself beef patty, although rooster and fish choices have been accessible. It was accompanied by the identical uninteresting fries.

To be frank, the patty was overcooked however to not the purpose of being charred— it was simply actually dry. Thankfully, the beneficiant helpings of cheese sauce considerably rectified it. It tasted like watered-down store-bought nacho cheese sauce (which I really like). The chilli flakes additionally added a contact of warmth to the saucy affair. 

Usually, the Seafood Aglio Olio would include clams and mussels, however they have been out of clams so I opted for grilled fish as an alternative, as I wasn’t a fan of shellfish myself. The garlic flavours have been sturdy sufficient to discourage the neighbourhood vampire, although I felt it might’ve used one other sprinkling of salt to meet the total potential of the flavours.

Unfortunately, the grilled fish had a mushy texture by the point I had it, however a minimum of it was seasoned a lot better than the pasta. Speaking of which, I’d have preferred (and anticipated) a bigger portion of it because it’s typically a less expensive supply of carbs.

Final ideas

Brostern’s noble purpose to serve good and inexpensive for everybody is effectively and actually met. It is unquestionably a number of steps up out of your primary Western stall and arguably even cheaper. This is strictly the kind of meals you’ll be able to have every day for lunch with out breaking the piggy financial institution. 

As they’ve future plans to open Brostern at each nook of Singapore, I eagerly await their outlet within the North.

Expected harm: S$6.50 – S$21 per pax

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