Taiwanese hawker sells reasonably priced $4.50 lu rou fan at Chinatown Complex

Taiwan has all the time been one in every of my favorite locations to go to. Its night time markets, wonderful surroundings and yummy meals simply makes it an incredible place for a vacation. If you’re not up for a visit to Taiwan simply but, I urge you to go to Really Something 非同小可, a humble hawker stall at Chinatown Complex, to satiate your Taiwanese meals cravings.

And simply in case you are inclined to get misplaced in Chinatown Complex (like I do), you will discover Really Something 非同小可 nestled away within the blue part of the hawker centre, proper reverse Tew Chew Street Tew Chew Porridge.

Really Something 非同小可 is single-handedly run by Mr Li, 34, a true-blue Taiwanese who grew up in Chiayi, a area in southern Taiwan. 

Mr Li has been in Singapore for about 6 to 7 years, working for a number of eating places earlier than he determined to come back out to begin his personal hawker stall in 2020. 

“I like the flexibility and it gives me more time,” he shared. “When I used to work in a restaurant, you’ll easily clock up to 12 hours each day. For example, you start work at 9am and then work past 9pm.”

What I attempted at Really Something 非同小可

What drew me to Really Something 非同小可 was its affordability and authenticity. 

Not solely are all of Mr Li’s recipes from Taiwan— particularly its Chiayi Chicken Rice, which he travelled again to Taiwan simply to conduct R&D for— all of its dishes vary between S$4 to S$6.

In reality, earlier than inflation pressured Mr Li to boost costs, its dishes used to value S$3!

The one dish that I used to be most excited to attempt was Really Something’s Braised Pork Rice (S$4.50).

Though easy sufficient— comprising white rice, braised pork, a braised egg and loads of gravy— I seen with a lot delight that Mr Li saved no expense in its portion dimension, and watched as he drenched my total plate of white rice with lor (thick gravy).

The minute I ate my first spoonful of Braised Pork Rice, it gave me such quick consolation that I needed to shut my eyes to savour it.

This was such a traditional mixture, and one which Really Something nailed: each spoonful of heat, fluffy white rice was paired with umami braised sauce, which leaned in direction of the sweeter aspect of issues slightly than savoury. 

Above all, there was a aromatic style of spices and star anise, which I loved immensely.

As with most lu rou fan dishes, the pork stomach was chopped into bite-sized items which made it extremely straightforward to eat. 

What I liked most about Really Something’s pork stomach was that it retained a slight chunk whereas being gentle and tender, which made it all of the extra satisfying.

All in all, this was a extremely comforting and fuss-free plate of Braised Pork Rice that I’ll gladly come again for once more. I solely wished that it had include some greens for distinction— be it salted preserved greens or blanched choy sum.

I made a decision to attempt the most cost effective factor on Really Something’s menu— Chiayi Chicken Rice (S$4).

Chiayi Chicken Rice is nothing just like the rooster rice we see right here in Singapore. Also generally known as Taiwanese rooster rice, this recipe originated from Chiayi and consists of shredded rooster (or extra historically, turkey) on high of white rice. It’s normally topped with shallot oil, fried shallots and spring onions.

Mr Li suggested me to offer every little thing a superb combine earlier than diving in, in order to make sure the shallot oil and sauce will get distributed evenly.

Though it appeared like a simple bowl of white rice, shredded rooster and fried shallots, this was extremely aromatic. I may style the fried shallot bits, an fragrant shallot oil, and the candy style of sentimental, shredded rooster which tied every little thing collectively seamlessly.

Oh, so easy, but so scrumptious!

Final ideas

This won’t be a flowery Taiwanese cafe or restaurant that serves set meals, full with bubble tea, dumplings or beef noodles, however I completely loved myself at Really Something.

Each chunk of Braised Pork Rice and Chiayi Chicken Rice was comforting and scrumptious, and what was even higher was how fuss-free and reasonably priced every little thing was. While the portion sizes aren’t precisely the most important round, every dish was genuine, hearty and substantial.

Just a fast word that because the stall is single-handedly run by Mr Li, it’s finest suggested that you just examine their Facebook web page for any sudden modifications in working hours earlier than heading down. 

Expected harm: S$4 – S$6 per pax

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