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Over 50 seafood & zi char dishes like BBQ stingray & cereal chicken at Bedok

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When late night hunger pangs strike, 85 Fengshan Centre at Bedok North is a popular destination to help curb those cravings. So, it hardly surprised me when I discovered that Chomp Chomp BBQ only starts operating from 5pm onwards.

chomp chomp bbq - hawker centre front

chomp chomp bbq - stall from outside

From a distance, I couldn’t miss the stall tucked away in the corner. Its brilliantly illuminated display showcasing a vibrant spectrum of colors, reminiscent of a rainbow brought to life.

chomp chomp bbq - stall front

There was a whole encyclopedia of dishes on offer with sizzling seafood delights on hotplates, cherished zi char classics and stir-fried vegetables, all vying for attention.

With over 50 options to choose from, I stood there and contemplated for a full minute before selecting the delectable morsels that would soon grace the palates of both my dining companion and myself.

What I tried at Chomp Chomp BBQ 

chomp chomp bbq - stingray

Amidst glowing reviews and my own delightful experience last year, expectations for the Hotplate BBQ Stingray (S$13) were set sky-high. The stingray was presented on a pair of banana leaves delicately cradled atop a mini hotplate. It was crowned with a layer of sambal and a sprinkling of sliced red onions… visually, it was enticing.

chomp chomp bbq - lime squueze

My nostrils caught a whiff of dried shrimps coming from the sambal as I reached out for the calamansi, gently giving it a squeeze to treat the flesh to a diminutive citrusy spa.

chomp chomp bbq - stingray closeup

Upon prodding the flesh with my disposable chopsticks and spoon, I found the meat to be decently tender, though I have encountered softer textures in the past.

chomp chomp bbq - flesh closeup

The sambal achieved a flawless equilibrium, offering a gentle yet assertive spiciness complemented by the rich umami undertones bestowed by the dried shrimp. My only lament? There was too little of it!

I fondly recall the ample portion from my previous visit, and that night’s serving paled in comparison, leaving me somewhat disappointed.

chomp chomp bbq - dip

The chinchalok dip served alongside was a burst of invigorating acidity, infusing the pieces of stingray with a vivid radiance, all while carrying the delightful, subtle notes of lime beneath its vibrant tang.

chomp chomp bbq - cereal chicken

Traditionally, cereal prawn has graced menus far and wide, making the subsequent arrival of Cereal Chicken (S$16) a delightful departure from the ordinary. Concealed beneath a glistening tapestry of golden cereal, the chicken pieces remained mysteriously veiled, embellished with the bits of chilli padi and fried curry leaves.

chomp chomp bbq - cereal chicken closeup

chomp chomp bbq - cereal closeup

The larger pieces of chicken were tender and with the very first bite, a symphony of flavours was orchestrated as the buttery cereal, herbaceous curry leaves, and the fiery embrace of chilli padi harmoniously danced on my tongue.

We tried Singapore’s best-rated zi char

However, I must complain that the smaller chicken pieces leaned towards toughness, and an excessive amount of batter overpowered the meat.

chomp chomp bbq - qing long cai

Years ago, in a quaint Geylang eatery, I first encountered qing long cai, aka Garlic Chives (S$10). Hence, it was a delightful surprise to find this particular vegetable gracing the menu here.

chomp chomp bbq - qing long cai closeup

chomp chomp bbq - closeup of vegetables

Stir-fried alongside tau geh and delicate carrot slices, this dish is an ode to garlic aficionados. Every bite brimmed with an assertive garlicky essence, courtesy of the finely-chopped garlic bits. If you had entertained the company of a vampire, they’d have fled a thousand miles away at its mere aroma.

The garlic chives maintained a slight crunch and a mild oniony spiciness hits you towards the end. The inclusion of carrot and beansprouts contributed a gentle undercurrent of sweetness to the overall palate.

chomp chomp bbq - qing long cai sauce closeup

The gravy was a pleasant savoury and sweet combination with notes of oyster sauce, which binded the medley of veggies together.

This dish served as a refreshing interlude after the preceding 2, which bore more robust and intense flavours.

chomp chomp bbq - pineapple fried rice

Concluding our delightful meal, we savoured the Pineapple Fried Rice (S$6). Remarkably, even the smallest portion offered a bounteous serving. The golden grains of rice were fried with bits of char siew, egg, pineapple cubes, and small pieces of shrimp.

chomp chomp bbq - pineapple fried rice closeup

The rice was fragrant and slightly smoky with a light wok hei aroma. I was a little let down with the absence of pork floss, which would have added more depth of flavour.

chomp chomp bbq - pineapple closeup

The pineapple cubes were semi-ripe, causing both our faces to scrunch up whenever we encountered the sour parts.

Final thoughts

chomp chomp bbq - overview

Overall, my experience at Chomp Chomp BBQ was a lukewarm one. Though some elements of each dish were delicious, each of them had something that was missing or needed refinement.

For this establishment to truly distinguish itself, the quality of the food needs to be improved. Otherwise, it risks remaining just another run-of-the-mill BBQ seafood stall which will be easily forgotten, at least in my books.

Expected damage: S$10 – S$15 per pax

Yong Kwang Yummy Seafood: Zi char stall with popular creamy salted egg pork ribs & shiok prawn paste chicken

Price: $ $

Our Rating: 3.5 / 5

Chomp Chomp BBQ

85 Bedok North Street 4, #01-44 , Singapore 460085

Price

Our Rating 3.5/5

Chomp Chomp BBQ

85 Bedok North Street 4, #01-44 , Singapore 460085

Telephone: +65 9786 4736

Operating Hours: 5pm – 12.30am (Daily)



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