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Located just a stone’s throw away from Lakeside MRT is the new Lakeside Pasar Malam, which just opened on 6 Mar. This year’s pasar malam features notable food options such as the viral Spuds Shack, Tutu Kueh and more, and also features a whole inflatable section for the kids to enjoy whilst the adults are snacking.
It seems as though people got the news quickly, as when I went there in the evening, it was already packed. This year, the pasar malam was separated into two areas — the left being the usual games section and the right being lined with delectable food choices.
These spuds have been all over my social media, so I had to get them to see what the hype was about. Spuds Shack not only sells their loaded jacket potatoes, but also has the option of crispy, fresh potato rosti. However, I was informed that the latter had already sold out by the time I reached, so if this sounds like something you want to try, be sure to get there in the early afternoon before they sell out.
I ordered the spuds that caught my eye – the Chilli Beef & BBQ Beans Jacket Potato (S$6) and the Maple Duck Breast Jacket Potato (S$7).
The toppings in the Chilli Beef & BBQ Beans Jacket spud are rather plentiful, and so is the amount of cheese loaded in the spud itself, but towards the bottom, I did feel that there could be a touch more seasoning. As chilli was indicated in this, I was expecting a kick of spice but felt that it was rather mild.
The Maple Duck Breast Jacket spud on the other hand was loaded with flavour, and the juicy duck breast paired with the buttery baked potato paired incredibly well to create a harmonious blend of flavours in my mouth. Even if duck is not your first choice, this version may have you changing your mind, as it is remarkably succulent and tender.
The next on my list was Fu Zhou Oyster Cake, where I opted for the Original Oyster Cake (S$3.80).
When biting into it, I was surprised by the generous servings of oyster and pork, as well as vegetables. I felt that the oyster’s brininess paired with the savoury pork meshed well together to make each bite a flavourful one, and the vegetables introduced a freshness that kept it from being too heavy.
I was craving for some good Tutu Kueh, and luckily for me, this pasar malam had got me covered. I decided to order the Oreo Tutu Kueh (S$4 for 5 pieces) as a sweet treat after my oyster cake.
The tutu kueh had a doughy and chewy taste to it, while the chocolaty Oreo crumbs upgraded this dish. It is best to have it right upon ordering, as the warm and soft tutu kueh pairs beautifully with the sweet Oreo centre, adding a modern, dessert-like twist on a childhood favourite.
Do expect a short wait upon ordering, as it is made upon order, and please note that you are only allowed to order in batches of 5.
I ended my evening with a serving of Potato Balls (13 for S$5). Initially, I expected them to be purple as depicted in the picture, and I was quite disappointed when this was not the reality, but the taste definitely did not let me down.
Though the exterior seems firm, it didn’t take much effort to bite into it. Despite being fried, it did not taste greasy, allowing the subtle sweetness of the potato to shine through. It was also incredibly light and crispy. If I were to reorder this, I would definitely take this as a shared food.
Upon leaving, I had to check out the massive inflatables at the back of the pasar malam. Children can enjoy themselves in the bouncy castle as well as the ball pit for an unlimited amount of time upon paying S$10. Further back, there is a driving course where parents can accompany their children on ride-on vehicles.
If you are looking for a quick bite, do check this pasar malam out before it closes on 6 Apr.
Cai (財): Rumoured $5 hor fun with the richest wok hei in the West
