Opened by the same group behind wine retailers “1855 The Bottle Shop”, Fat Chap (肥仔) at Suntec is a casual dining concept offering weekend brunch options with an Asian / Indonesian flair. Dishes here are inspired by Chef Selemat Susanto’s childhood in Indonesia and travels around Asia.

The crispy pig’s ear ($12++) is first dehydrated and sliced into silvers before deep fried. It is then tossed in a homemade curry powder mix. Crunchy and flavourful, it goes well with beer. However, without alcohol, the dish would have been better if the achar (also made in-house) comes as a bigger portion because having the pig’s ears on its own is too salty.

Pulled chicken ($14++) comes chilled and mixed with in-house Sichuan sauce. The texture and taste remind me of 口水鸡. But this pulled chicken must have been made with children/people who can’t take much spiciness in mind as it is mild and perhaps lacking a bit of punch. Mung bean sprouts or tau gay are used to provide a contrast to the soft chicken shreds, however, perhaps thinly sliced cucumbers or carrots are a better option. Tau gay when eaten raw is not appealing to all.

Another side to accompany the mains is eggplant ($8++). On top of the charcoal-grilled eggplant sits a spicy delectable garlic and chilli paste with dehydrated shrimps and crunchy okra. Special mention goes to the shrimps – they are bitesize but meaty, and umami. Th shrimps complement the smokey and fleshy eggplant. The dish is good on its own but more shiok with rice.

The asam pedas ($19++) is sedap and has its roots from Minangkabau in West Sumatra, Indonesia (Fun fact: The Minangkabau community is the world’s largest matrilineal society where women is placed at the centre of household and the community, presenting a very different picture of Muslim women). The locally farmed golden snapper (brownie points for supporting homegrown produce) has a nice crisp on the outside and is not overcooked. It is steeped in a sweet, tangy and spicy fish stock with okra and tomatoes. Goes very well with rice although it’s a pity that the rice is too wet and mushy.

The oxtail soup ($20++), clear and robust, is a comforting dish to have when it’s rainy and cold outside. Hhomemade green chilli sauce, kicap manis (Indonesian sweet soy sauce) and slice of lime wedge adds depth to the oxtail soup.

The showstopper of the day is a dish that will make any troglodyte happy – Land and Sea platter (half Balinese-styled pork ribs, half kampong chicken, grilled whole fish, squid, beef ribeye, lamb ribs with sea salt, garden salad, grilled corn on cob for $168++). Presented on a wooden board, this platter is meant for 4 to 5 pax but perhaps it can easily satisfy more. The meats and seafood are tasty but nothing memorable. However the sambal-and-shallot relish is utterly delicious. A dollop of that spicy potent sambal on the meats/seafood, it transforms the dish immediately.

The lamb ribs, although tender, is gamey and would probably only appeal to those who are game for some game. The grilled corn on cob steals the show from the lamb; it is soaked in coconut milk overnight and prepared à la Indonesian BBQ style with butter. A glorious char on the outside and sweet, creamy goodness inside.

For desserts, the klapertart ($12++) is Chef Selamat’s take on a Dutch-influenced Indonesian cake. Both coconut custard and homemade rum-and-raisin ice cream are sweet but not overly sweet. The Thai milk tea pudding ($12++) is disappointing because the Thai milk tea flavour is weak.

Other than beer and housepours, there are cocktails such as the scented mile ($20++, whiskey, lemon juice, chamomile juice, eggwhite) which has a refreshing. floral aftertaste. Their coffee is from Toby’s Estate.

On the whole, the food here is heartfelt and close to home. You can tell Chef Selamat puts in effort to replicate the taste of Asian flavours and at the same time to put his own spin on some of the local favourites.

Menu

Fat Chap
Suntec City Mall East Wing #01-643, 3 Temasek Blvd, Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 8341 1951
M to Th & S 11am to 11pm
F & Eve of PH 11am to 1am
Sun 11am to 5pm
facebook

Food: 6/10
Decor/ambience: 6/10
Price/value: 6/10

You may be interested in…
–The Butcher’s Kitchen, Suntec: Carnivores’ Paradise & Italian Food
–MaguroDonya Miuramisakikou, Eat at Seven @ Suntec: Tuna Specialists. Just Order the Raw Stuff.
–Kuro Izakaya, Suntec: Ramen by Day, Izakaya by Night Using Kosei Charcoal Grill
–The Lime Truck @ Pasarbella Suntec: Tex-Mex Tacos at its Best

Written by Vanessa Khong. Vanessa is someone who enjoys checking out the local food scene. She believes the way to her heart is through her stomach.