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As food writers, we’re constantly on the prowl for new and interesting makan places, whether we stumble upon them online or during our daily adventures. Curry Cafe at 482 Admiralty Link was actually discovered by accident, thanks to a mahjong sesh my click had one weekend at a friend’s crib right upstairs.
“Is the cafe under your block famous? It’s so crowded!” I asked my friend. She told me that the establishment used to be located at Canberra Community Club and is relatively well-known to nearby residents.
The curries we ordered for our previous CNY gathering were impressively solid and memorable, making me eager to return and explore more of their menu.
With my dining partners in tow, we returned on a weekday morning around 11.15am — only to find a different vibe from the weekend chaos. Gone were the crowds, replaced by a tranquil, almost zen-like calm, with just a handful of tables occupied.
Though the cafe states that it doesn’t use any pork or lard in its preparation, it’s not Halal-certified.
What I tried at Curry Cafe
Behold, the dish that had me racing back for round 2 — the SIGNATURE Grandpa Curry Chicken (S$5.50). You can also choose to pair it with Rice/Noodles for an extra S$0.70 or Slice Toast for S$0.80.
An entire chicken drumstick with 2 huge chunks of potatoes were steeped in an intense, crimson-hued curry. It was visually enticing and I couldn’t wait to get started.
Every element of the SIGNATURE Grandpa Curry Chicken that had me utterly hooked was just as I remembered — the fall-apart tender chicken, and that rich, perfectly-spiced curry with just the right consistency.
The gigantic pieces of potatoes may seem like a battle for your utensils, but don’t be fooled by their plump appearance. One bite, and they simply disintegrate, like a fluffy dream in your mouth.
To complement the curries, we gave the Pineapple Rice with Chicken Floss (S$6.50) a go. The pale-yellow grains of rice that were stir-fried with tiny pineapple pieces were crowned with a generous amount of chicken floss at its centre. Its portion is sufficient to be shared among a party of two.
Sure, the rice had its perks — sweet bursts of pineapple and the light, cotton-like texture of pork floss. But in the end, it didn’t leave an impression.
It kind of tasted like it was pulled straight from the kitchen of a run-of-the-mill mamak or zi char establishment. The rice also missed the smoky wok hei magic I was hoping for, leaving it a little too… plain.
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We moved on to the Plain Prata (S$1.20) and Prata Egg & Cheese (S$2.60), that were served together alongside a small bowl of curry. Just as I was about to protest about the curry portion being a little on the stingy side, the customer at the next table asked for more gravy at no extra charge — plus points for that!
Even before trying the kosong prata, I knew it would be promising from its colour and fluffy texture. I ditched my utensils and pried the flatbread apart with my fingers, emanating a crackling crispy sound.
The prata was totally up my alley — crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside. Sure it’s the frozen kind (they can be great too, if done right) and not handcrafted, but at least the chef put in the effort to smash the sides, allowing the moisture and trapped hot air to escape, resulting in this irresistible texture.
I’m old-school and always pair my prata with just curry. Though I have colleagues and friends who have it with sugar… or both (eeks), But hey, I respect that everyone has different tastes.
How did the prata taste after getting the curry treatment? Well, lets just say I’ll be ordering this every time I drop by — soooooo good!
On the other hand, the Prata Egg & Cheese, though not as crispy as the Plain Prata, was still above average with the creamy egg and slightly-savoury cheese.
The Chee Cheong Fun (S$2.40 for 2 pieces) wasn’t the fancy Hong Kong-style variety with char siew or shrimp, but the good ol’ traditional kind. The fluffy flat rice rolls were smothered in the usual brown gravy and dusted with sesame seeds.
Each bite evoked a nostalgic feel and hit all the right notes. It’s been a while since I’ve had this, and it totally transported me back.
The SIGNATURE Grandpa Curry Mutton (S$7) managed to keep the gaminess of the mutton to a minimum, and each piece struck the perfect proportion of meat and fat. The potatoes were, as usual, soft and fluffy.
On my first try, the curry was a tad on the salty side, but by my second visit, the seasoning was just right. I do hope they’ll be more consistent with this dish.
The Kaya & Butter Toast (S$1.40 for 2 pieces) was a disappointment. The bread wasn’t toasted or grilled long enough, resulting in a slightly soggy texture. I was also struggling to taste the butter, but all I got was the sweetness of the coconut jam.
Final thoughts
Though Curry Cafe is popular with residents around the area, I hope that more people will come down to check out their curries. Though there were some hits and misses with the other dishes, but I’m confident that, true to their name, their curry is where they truly shine.
To get to this secluded neighbourhood that lies between Sembawang and Admiralty, simply take bus 859, 859A or 962 from across Sun Plaza.
Expected damage: S$3 – S$7 per pax
