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Do eating places with almost-perfect ratings turn out to be all hype and no substance? At times, yes. I know of many places that give out free drinks or appetisers when customers leave 5-star reviews. It’s things like that makes you think twice before visiting such establishments, even when they seem to have a flawless track record. Chola Cafe at 20 Clive Street, known for its biryani, is one such example, possessing a Google Rating of 4.9 stars out of 5 with a total of 527 Google Reviews (at time of writing).
On a side note, I get rather icky when restaurants proudly proclaim that they serve ‘the best in the country’. In this case, just Google Chola Cafe and you’ll see “Best Biryani in Singapore” displayed behind its name. With an open mind and a hankering for biryani, I brought my dining partners along for a visit.
I swear, if we weren’t purposely looking for Chola Cafe, I could have easily walked right past its unassuming exterior without noticing it — doesn’t it look like a pub from the outside?
As we stepped through the doors, we noticed that the ambience was quite the contrary — cosy and welcoming. We immediately felt more at ease. I learned from the owner that they have been around for 2 years, and that he had previously operated a pub (that’s why!) and a travel agency from the same space. Friendly staff, Indian MTVs on the telly — vibe check approved!
What to order at Chola Cafe
The menu showcased a decent selection of Indian favourites, but since this feature is about biryani, I focused solely on that. This place does seeraga samba dum biryani, a particular style that doesn’t use the usual basmati. Instead, it’s replaced by seeraga samba rice, a traditional South Indian small grain that resembles cumin seeds. Before our mains arrived, we were each given a small serving of muruku to munch on which was a nice touch.
We started our early Wednesday dinner with the Mutton Seeraga Samba Dum Biryani (S$15.50+), which arrived in a stainless steel pot, accompanied by 2 condiments.
The grains were indeed tiny, resembling those found in cơm tấm, a Vietnamese broken rice dish. They were soft and not overly oily, seasoned with just the right amount of spices, packing a fiery heat that kicked in only after a few seconds — yes, I was sweating even with the air conditioner on! It was the kind of rice that got you hooked, good enough to eat on its own without any accompaniments.
Now, let’s get into what I enjoyed about the mutton. It was tender and, thankfully, none of that funky gaminess came along for the ride. However, some parts were veiny and quite fatty, with little meat around the bones. At S$15,50+, we felt the portion could’ve been more generous, as the rice-to-meat ratio was a little unbalanced.
I particularly enjoyed the raita which had crunchy raw red onion slices and carrots that helped my palate cool down from the spices. Biryani and raita go together like two peas in a pod — whoever came up with this combo deserves a medal.
On the other hand, the dhal-like gravy was rather muted and, when poured over the rice, mellowed its complex flavours. We later learnt that this was intentional, allowing diners who dislike strong spices to enjoy the biryani, too.
We then moved on to the Chicken Seeraga Samba Dum Biryani (S$11.50+), same presentation and condiments; just different meat. Compared to the mutton version, the chicken seemed more substantial in terms of quantity. The meat was tender and cooked just right — no complaints!
Who Chola Cafe is best for
It’s perfect for foodies seeking a different take on biryani, with tiny grains, bold flavours and a decent kick of spice.
How to get there?
Take the MRT and alight at Rochor MRT Station (DT13), then heard towards Exit B and walk 3 minutes to Chola Cafe. Alternatively, there are bus services bringing you to the nearest bus stops: Bef Rochor Stn Exit B and Tekka.
Do we recommend Chola Cafe?
As someone who enjoys biryani, I’d say yes. The taste is great and the spices are well balanced. However, if they can improve on the portioning of the mutton, the experience would be even better. The comfortable ambience and friendly service is a plus. The amount of rice is substantial, and ordering 2 portions of biryani is more than enough for 3 people. Do note that this place has service charge.
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