New in town: Bao Jiak, Ang Mo Kio — Old-school western delights from S$4.80

I’ve always been intrigued by one cuisine in particular—Western food. Yes, there are many variations from one stall to another, but there are certain mainstays on the menu which never seem to be excluded, and for good reason. At Bao Jiak, think chicken chops with gravy, fried fish, and if it’s payday, treat yourself to a steak. It is truly an interesting take on what we believe ‘Western’ cuisine to entail, while still priced very affordably. You don’t have to go to a fancy schmancy restaurant to get your grub on.

Bao Jiak does exactly that in its newly opened space at 332 Coffee House. Look forward to familiar offerings that give you great bang for your buck. You don’t have to worry about going hungry here as they are big on portions yet modest in price. The metric for any good coffeeshop western stall, is in their Chicken Cutlet (S$6.50).

You can expect Bao Jiak’s version to remain true to the classics, with juicy, battered chicken thigh served alongside coleslaw, baked beans, and a heap of french fries. The cherry on top—or should I say bun on top—is a buttered roll for you to soak up all that jus, so nothing goes to waste. If you must have your rice, Chicken Chop Rice (S$4.80) pairs a saucy slab of grilled chicken with white rice. Simple, but delicious and oh-so-satisfying. For under $5, what’s not to love?

Speaking of unbeatable value, here’s a peek at their 1/2 Spring Chicken (S$5.50). If you’re used to 2-piece meals from fast food establishments, where receiving the coveted thigh and drum combo is akin to winning the lottery, you’d be happy to hear that at Bao Jiak, your fried chix always comes by way of a half chicken. Choose from either white rice or french fries to pair with your meat, so you’re guaranteed to leave with your tummy full and your wallet fuller.

The Mixed Grill (S$10.80) is one for the die-hard carnivores. A menacing trio of meats in the form of grilled lamb chops, chicken and beef steak present itself along the same side dishes. Who needs a buffet when one can already fill up on Bao Jiak’s western plates?

The next time you are hankering for a true western feast that won’t break the bank, come on down to Ang Mo Kio to indulge in a variety of western classics. For more details, do check out their Facebook page.

If you are interested in more affordable eats, read up on No Monkey Business, a vegetarian eatery serving up wok-fried delights.