42 Pasta is the Answer: Ex-prof’s humble handmade pasta with sweet potato, curry leaves & brown butter

Handmade pasta for S$15? That’s what I heard about 42 Pasta is the Answer, a quaint eatery residing in Thomson Plaza. It’s a two-month-old business run by pasta chef Zhi Han whose wife Hwee Yee helps out during her free time.

The unique name is a nod to the book A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, where the answer to the ultimate question of life, universe and everything is 42.

Zhi Han used to be a physics professor who worked at NUS for 19 years. It’s crazy how small the world is – my dinner companion discovered their sister was his student back in her university days. When asked what brought about the career change, he simply laughed and replied, “I guess I wanted to try something new!” According to him, the main factor for keeping prices affordable is using “humble” ingredients such as sweet potato and tomato to flavour the pasta.

The pasta menu also changes daily depending on what the chef decides to whip up, from unique pasta shapes to creative fillings and sauce flavours. The element of surprise certainly intrigued me – I was excited to see what the day’s menu entailed.

I arrived early, so I got to catch Zhi Han’s pasta-making process in action. That day, he made caramelle, an adorable candy-shaped stuffed pasta similar to ravioli. 

As the evening opening hour approached, other customers trailed in, and soon every table in the restaurant was occupied. 

What I tried at 42 Pasta is the Answer

We each ordered a Pasta of the Day (S$15), Sweet Potato Caramelle with Brown Butter & Balsamic Vinegar. These pretty little treats came steaming hot and garnished with generous shavings of parmesan and fried curry leaves. 

The wrapping was nicely al dente. The difference in quality compared to store-bought pasta was quite obvious; store-bought is usually more firm. However, it was chewier and more satisfying when hot – heads up to whoever lives by “camera eats first” like I do! 

On the outside, the caramelle had a slightly browned crust from the butter. However, I couldn’t identify the presence of balsamic vinegar despite its presence in the dish. Perhaps it’s just me, but I didn’t detect the zing so the dish seemed mostly creamy and buttery. 

Now onto the filling. Sweet potato seemed logical for a confectionery-shaped pasta. The subtle sweetness and creaminess made it feel as though a caramel dessert had been made into a savoury dish – in a good way! 

Curry leaves instead of rosemary or thyme with sweet potato? It wasn’t a pairing I expected, yet it somehow worked. Aromatic and woodsy, the leaves gave the Italian dish an appealing Asian herb twist. I have a strange affinity for nomming on crispy curry leaves, and this texture was just right.

Crav-Pot: Industrial kopitiam stall with lemon butter pasta & over 15 claypot dishes

The Roast Pork with Waldorf Salad (S$12/S$18) was the only other main dish stated on 42 Pasta’s menu. I found the S$12 portion small for the price, but its taste didn’t disappoint despite this. 

Tender roasted pork belly lined one half of the plate. Its flesh fell apart easily, and melty but not overwhelmingly oily fat oozed from the layers with each bite. The smoky and slightly charred skin had a contrasting light crunch that was addictive and not too hard.  

The salad contained crisp chopped celery, juicy apples, raisins and nuts, coated in mayonnaise. I usually find mayonnaise extremely jelak, but it strangely wasn’t the case here. If anything, the fruit salad created a light and refreshing contrast to the meaty pork. 

I admit that I nearly overlooked the Dijon mustard dolloped on the side while focusing on the pork and salad. Tangy with a wasabi-like aftertaste, it accompanied the meat well. For some reason, I found the visible mustard seeds more appealing than if it were just a smooth sauce.

Speaking of overlooking details, the caramelised onions were hidden under the meat, and we didn’t notice it until we’d eaten most of the plate. Soft and silky, they also paired the meat nicely with their slight sweetness.

The mains were delicious, but my friend and I hadn’t gotten enough of the menu. Activating our second stomachs for dessert, we ordered a slice of Basque Cheesecake (S$6) to share. Even this was baked in-house – I discovered from 42 Pasta’s website that they sell cookies and brownies online as well!

My reaction to the first bite was “Is that honey?” Perhaps my tastebuds were working properly after all; Zhi Han confirmed that one of the ingredients was indeed honey for that perfect hint of nectar. 

Despite the creaminess, the cheesecake wasn’t overly decadent. Its smooth centre was rich yet not as dense as I’d imagined, and contained within the firm edges and “burnt” top. Not too sweet or cheesy, and an enjoyably tangy end to the meal. 

Final Thoughts

If you’d like to visit 42 Pasta is the Answer, I highly suggest making a reservation first. The place was small, but there were so many customers! Walk-ins are possible but subject to availability; be prepared to face a full house for dinner.

While all under S$20, the portions were small, however the pricing was understandable given the effort required to prepare the dishes. Especially the pasta crafted from scratch – a big thumbs up to Zhi Han!

Come to 42 Pasta for a good meal, and stay a while for the chill vibes. I guarantee you that a lunch or dinner like this is perfect for unwinding while catching up with your close ones. 

Expected damage: S$12 – S$21

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