I may be slightly late to the game as while I’m writing this article, Masterchef Singapore’s Season 2 Winner, Derek Cheong, has just opened his 3rd Berempah Bros outlet at Sengkang. However, after spending my golden years travelling to the North-East for 2 years straight, I decided to check out his 2nd outlet at Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre, which is much nearer to me.
I followed his directions on his social media video, and the stall was rather easy to spot; I noticed it the moment I stepped into the hawker centre. Berempah Bros certainly does stand out from the other hawker stalls, who use more muted colours for their signs, with their loud orange one.
What to order at Berempah Bros
My dining companion and I decided to start out our lunch with their signature Ayam Berempah (S$7.50)Â option for the chicken breast option.
The coconut rice was topped with flaky breadcrumbs and, while fragrant, it did not register on me that this was the same rice used for our local delight, nasi lemak. It had a subtle creamy taste to it, and I preferred it to have a stronger kick.
We pried open the chicken breast using spoon and fork and were delighted to see that it was juicy on the inside. They are generous with their portions, too, as we had 2 large pieces of chicken breast to share.
I was not particularly sure what to expect, as I knew that ayam berempah would have a twinge of spice, and I found that the spices used were strong enough to make a lasting impression on me. It was flavourful and mixed well with the chicken breast, which I enjoyed. The aromatic flavours were practically bursting out, and it is definitely their signature dish for a reason.
Edmond Chicken Rice: Halal-certified chicken rice at Tanglin Halt by hawker who cooked chicken since he was 16
We moved on to the Unagi Berempah (S$12), a dish I found rather unique, especially for a hawker stall. Given that unagi (eel) is not typically sold at hawker centres, I had to try this.
The eel was slightly tougher to cut and had a much harder exterior when I bit into it. It had a strong, sweet flavour and the inside had a slight buttery taste. In my opinion, unagi should taste fresh, and perhaps I caught them on a bad day as I did not strongly feel this way.
A hearty amount of sambal was included with both our dishes, and I enjoyed that it was tangy and spicy enough to have that subtle fiery kick. I recommend not only dipping your protein into it, but also lathering it all over your coconut rice as well.
Who is Berempah Bros best for?
It is definitely best for those who enjoy herb and spice-infused dishes, which pack a ton of flavour in them. Additionally, it is best fit for people who love bold flavours. It is also good for foodies or people who are bigger eaters, given that the portion size was quite large.
How to get there?
Berempah Bros is located along Old Nelson Road. The nearest MRT station is Sembawang (NS11), and you should take Exit D for the shortest route. Alternatively, you can take a bus and alight at this bus stop: After Admiral Hill.
Do we recommend Berempah Bros?
Yes. The bold, spice-forward flavours make Berempah Bros a stall worth recommending, particularly the signature ayam berempah. With aromatic spices that don’t overwhelm, both dishes were fragrant and balanced enough to impress.
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