Nasi lemak & home-made curry puffs from S$0.50 at Eunos

Epok Epok or curry puffs— I cherished consuming them as a child on weekends once I’d be over at my Grandma’s. Imagine my pleasure once I found Halal-certified Epok Epok Central that’s located at Eunos Crescent Market and Food Centre— I’ve by no means been there in my life!

Yes, you heard me proper! All due to this new job at Sethlui.com, I get to journey throughout Singapore, visiting hawker centres that I’ve by no means been to earlier than— Eunos Crescent being considered one of them. This place jogged my memory of Haig Road Hawker Centre, the place there’s a separation between the Halal and non-Halal stalls.

Epok Epok Central serves up plates of nasi lemak within the mornings, and at 3pm day by day, their meals cabinets are changed with freshly-fried epok epok. The dough of the curry puffs are made contemporary on the stall and are rolled out utilizing a guide pasta machine— tremendous labour intensive!

What I attempted at Epok Epok Central

It was nonetheless early and the batches of epok epok weren’t prepared, so it was time to start out issues off with their Nasi Lemak (S$4.20). It was acknowledged as Nasi Lemak With Egg And Ikan Bilis (S$2) on the stall’s menu, however I had opted for a further Chicken Wing (S$1.50) and Sausage (S$0.70).

The cooks at Epok Epok Central ought to train many mainstream nasi lemak stalls in regards to the strategies of cooking good coconut rice. Sufficiently aromatic and cooked good, the nasi was flavourful and fully gained me over— and I hadn’t even tried the opposite condiments but!

The sambal chilli had the proper ratio of candy and spicy, and was one of many higher tasting sambals I’ve tried lately. It went very well with the rice and every part else on the plate.

Don’t even get me began on how good the hen wing was— I used to be blown away! Fried to perfection, the pores and skin of the hen wing was crispy and so satisfying. It was a pity I didn’t have a microphone with me the place I might have accomplished the basic ASMR crunch sound take a look at.

How many instances in your life have you ever been disillusioned with hen wings? You can get a crispy outer layer that’s extraordinarily crispy, however then the meat inside seems to be dry and overcooked— sounds acquainted? None of that occurred at Epok Epok Central, the flesh was nonetheless moist and juicy, and it was nicely marinated.

The sausage that got here with a dollop of sambal was only a typical generic model that you just’ll discover at another hawker stall promoting nasi lemak. It’s nothing too fancy however nonetheless so satisfying to eat.

The ikan bilis alternatively might compete with the hen wing by way of its crispiness. It had the correct amount of salt and was so good to eat along with the peanuts.

Time flew by and it was already 10 minutes previous 3pm. I walked over to the stall and there on the cabinets, had been a number of mini golden pillows of yumminess. The epok epok had three totally different choices— Sardine (S$0.50), Potato (S$0.50), and Potato With Egg (S$2 for 3).

Upon buying all three varieties, I observed that they had been barely smaller in measurement than what I used to be anticipating. I’d in all probability have to eat twice the quantity to get me happy— this coming from a self-obsessed epok epok human! There wasn’t any color indication to tell apart the distinction in fillings, in all probability the one apparent indication was that the Potato With Egg selection was barely fatter.

I reached for the Potato With Egg and I used to be first greeted by the crispy outer crust of the epok epok. It was surprisingly flaky but crispy, and it felt to me like a hybrid of two totally different sorts of curry puffs— the standard malay curry puff and the crispy puff pastry sort. The dough was additionally comparatively skinny, not like quite a few thick ones that I’ve had earlier than, which I don’t fancy.

The curry potato filling on the within was completely balanced with out being too overpowering, and paired very well with the quarter piece of boiled egg inside.

The Sardine epok epok was barely totally different from the standard ones that I’ve had earlier than. Epok Epok Central’s sardine filling wasn’t within the typical shade of pink like what you’d usually anticipate, as an alternative it was darkish brown— nearly just like the shade of caramelised onions. The filling was leaning in the direction of the candy facet and there wasn’t a touch of spice in any respect. Oh, I might get used to this!

Surprised at how totally different the sardine filling tasted, I took a second chunk solely to understand that I’d began to get hooked on them— I might eat a second or third piece with out hesitation.

Final ideas

It’s actually not widespread to seek out stalls like Epok Epok Central promoting epok epok that’s made in-house and fried on the spot. I might in all probability rely the variety of stalls that I do know with only one hand— most of them promote gadgets which can be factory-made!

You needn’t journey to the far ends of Singapore simply to get good nasi lemak when you possibly can have an affordable and nice tasting model proper right here at Eunos Crescent Market and Food Centre. I’ve all the time handed by this place with out stopping by for a go to, however I’m glad I lastly did— higher late than by no means!

Expected harm: S$0.50 – $7 per pax

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