Huge rosti + chargrilled rooster chop hidden at Kovan espresso store

The minute I got here throughout photographs of Picky Snout’s jumbo rosti on social media, I knew I needed to give it a go to. Each plate was loaded with fantastically browned rosti, giant slabs of chargrilled rooster chops, and doused with a creamy mushroom sauce that had precise items of mushrooms. The better part? Picky Snout isn’t a restaurant or bistro— it’s a Western espresso store stall hidden in Kovan.

Picky Snout is definitely fairly new to the F&B sport, having solely opened in Ubi for six months earlier than shifting to its present spot in Kovan in late Dec 2022.

Nestled in a nondescript espresso store alongside Upper Serangoon Road, Picky Snout is a 9-minute stroll away from Kovan MRT. For these aware of the world, it’s barely additional down from Lola’s Cafe and Punggol Nasi Lemak.

My nostril informed me that we had arrived on the right location. I might odor the scrumptious scent of roasted potatoes and chargrilled Western meals, and earlier than I knew it, my abdomen rumbled loudly.

Apart from promoting well-loved Western chargrilled classics, Picky Snout additionally serves up Vietnamese-inspired dishes, similar to Signature Saigon Pork with Rosti (S$11.90), Baguettes (aka banh mi) together with your selection of meat, and rice dishes too.

What I attempted at Picky Snout

I used to be most excited to strive Picky Snout’s Creamy Mushroom Chicken Rosti (S$10.90).

A large piece of chargrilled rooster chop sat on a big, round slab of rosti, and slathered throughout was a selfmade creamy mushroom sauce. Accompanying the whole dish was some pickled greens on the facet.

Interestingly, elements of the rooster chop had been sliced into thick wedges, which made it simpler to eat.

These have been nice, thick chunks of juicy rooster chop that have been so scrumptious I actually couldn’t cease consuming. Each piece was succulent, and I might clearly style the char from the grill, which added wispy smoky parts to each chunk. More importantly, the rooster pores and skin was completely cooked, and had a superb quantity of fats for that luscious contact.

If I wasn’t already greatly surprised by how superb the chargrilled rooster chop was, the selfmade creamy mushroom sauce would’ve transformed me into an instantaneous fan.

This was a creamy, wealthy and earthy mushroom sauce that paired extremely nicely with each the chargrilled rooster chop and rosti. Filled with umami notes, I might inform immediately that it had been produced from precise mushrooms— and plus factors that it really got here with chunks of mushrooms too!

And lastly, onto the rosti. It was admittedly somewhat wetter than I’d have appreciated— as if the surplus liquid from the strips of potatoes hadn’t been squeezed out— however flavours clever, it was actually respectable. The high layer of rosti was deliciously crispy, with hints of sprinkled salt granules right here and there. 

Picky Snout actually did this plate justice. You’ve received that charred goodness and meaty bites from the rooster chop, the sauciness from the creamy mushroom gravy, and the roasted bits of potato from the rosti, making each chunk from this plate an absolute success.

In reality, as my colleague Rachel and I continued consuming, the moist rosti (which initially threw me off) grew on us. We discovered that mixing it with the umami-filled mushroom sauce was the perfect mixture, because it created this earthy mashed potato-like combine that was full of roasted and salty flavours. Super yummy!

Admittedly, S$10.90 is barely pricier than most dishes at your common Western espresso store stall, however the portion dimension and scrumptious flavours made it so price it.

Out of curiosity, we determined to order Picky Snout’s Vietnamese-inspired Signature Saigon Pork Chop with Rice (S$8.90). It got here with 2 items of pork chop, butter rice, a sunny side-up, and pickled greens.

First issues first— for S$8.90, this was an absolute steal. I solely anticipated one piece of pork chop, however to be given two felt prefer it was Christmas Day yet again!

The pork chops have been on the leaner facet, making the meat more durable as a result of little fats it had, nevertheless it was marinated rather well. I might style garlic, fish sauce and hints of lemongrass, which made every chunk fragrant.

Picky Snout additionally provides a Vietnamese-inspired chilli sauce, so in case you’re ordering its Signature Saigon Pork with Rosti (S$11.90), Rice (S$8.90) or in a Baguette (S$7.90), be sure you seize a few of this!

I beloved how piquant it was. It packed extra of a bitter, salty twang versus warmth or spice, and it jogged my memory of these clear bitter chilli sauces that’d often accompany contemporary Vietnamese spring rolls.

I need to say, it could’ve been tremendous straightforward to have supplied plain white rice, particularly contemplating the quantity of labour that goes into the rosti and chargrilled dishes, however Picky Snout impressed me by utilizing buttered rice as a substitute. It’s actually the small issues that make a giant distinction. 

Final ideas

A+ for effort and style, Picky Snout, and you may contemplate us official followers. Even although its dishes principally common out to price round S$9 or S$10, with the most costly dish being the ribeye steak with rosti at S$15.90, I’d most undoubtedly return once more. 

Not solely are you given beneficiant parts of handmade rosti, chargrilled rooster chops and zesty pork chops, all the pieces was additionally scrumptious. This is a kind of cases the place you may really style the hassle that has gone into every ingredient of the dish.

Thank you, Picky Snout, for an ideal meal. I’ll be again to strive all the pieces else in your menu!

Expected harm: S$6.90 – S$15.90 per pax

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10 must-try meals spots at Changi City Point to gasoline your subsequent procuring journey

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