Malaysia
Singapore
Thailand
My carb ranking has always been: noodles, rice, bread. For the longest time, I thought it would always remain this way. I have nothing against bread, but when I’m surrounded by chewy ban mian and savoury duck rice, bread is always going to be fighting a losing game.
In one of the Facebook groups I joined, people were raving about this S$1 fritters stall, and I had to check it out myself to see if it was worth the hype. That is how I found myself at Chinatown Fried Dough Stick at Chinatown Complex.
This stall is located along the same stretch as notable stalls such as 169 Hainanese Chicken Rice.
I noticed upon arrival that there were barely any fritters left. That serves me right for only coming down at 11am, when they’ve actually already been hard at work since 7am.
What to order at Chinatown Fried Dough Stick
We started out our brunch with the Red Bean Bun (S$1). My dining companion and I found it rather light and airy, and it did not feel too thick.
Breaking the bun was no issue, as the dough was rather thin. The filling inside initially disappointed me, as it looked like there was very little, but this changed the moment I sank my teeth into it.
The first thing that stood out to me was how chewy the bun was. It was fluffy and not at all hard to eat. Its soft texture, combined with the creamy and nutty red bean stuffing, literally almost made me ascend to heaven.
A red bean bun to me is a staple and one of the buns that should be perfected before you even think of running a business. Chinatown Fried Dough Stick has not only perfected this, but has also elevated its taste with its delicate skin.
Keeping the momentum going, we decided to try another paste bun, opting for the Lotus Paste Bun (S$1). Similar to the red bean bun, the exterior was rather airy.
This bun had a lot more filling. When I bit into it, the paste came out quite sticky and gooey, and had a subtle sweet kick.
I must say they don’t shortchange on the filling, and both were sufficiently packed, disproving my initial thought earlier. Every bite had a good ratio of paste and dough, and it did not feel as though the doughiness of the bun was overpowering the savoury paste.
As foodies, we all have our own tastes and preferences. That I can respect. However, what I struggle to understand is why some people would order a bun without any filling.
To say I was a little hesitant to order the next two buns would be an understatement. In my opinion, an apt filling makes every bite more appetising than the last.
The Salted Bun (S$1) was next in line for me. If consistency is something I could rate, then this stall gets full marks, because once again, it was not too doughy on the outside, and was incredibly fluffy upon the first bite.
The saltiness really kicks in at the start, but it isn’t unpleasant in the slightest. One thing I noted was that I wasn’t reaching for a drink to quench myself from the saltiness of the bun. It was rather fragrant, and while I expected the inside to be a bit dry, I was pleasantly surprised when it wasn’t!
Ending off our bun hunt, we finished it off strong with the Butterfly Bun (S$1). This had a slightly tougher exterior, which was rather crispy.
As we picked the bun apart, we dove straight for the middle. Its fluffiness was unparalleled, and the sweetness kicked in upon the first bite, giving a bit more depth to its flavour profile.
A good combination to really make your dish satisfying could be ordering a hot coffee to pair with it. My personal recommendation is kopi-o, which isn’t too sweet but strong enough to not only wake you up, but can also help wash your bread down.
Chinatown Fried Dough Stick really knows how to play with the textures and flavours of their buns, to leave their diners craving for more. We found ourselves in line to purchase another butterfly bun.
Who is Chinatown Fried Dough Stick best for
If you are on the go and in need of a quick bite, this would be the stall for you. This stall is also best for those who want a side dish to pair with their main, or who crave a quick and easy breakfast early in the morning.
How to get there?
Chinatown Fried Dough Stick is located along Smith Street. The nearest MRT station is Chinatown (NE4/DT19), and you should use Exit A for the shortest route. Alternatively, you can take a bus and alight at this bus stop: New Bridge Ctr.
Do we recommend Chinatown Fried Dough Stick?
Absolutely. The buns were all fresh and not greasy at all. Its portions are just enough to get you feeling sufficiently full. We felt as though the quality was high and incredibly worth it for such low prices.
People also read
