Malaysia
Singapore
Thailand
No matter how many times I visit Golden Mile Food Centre, I’m always able to find a new stall that piques my interest. On this day, it was Chef Lup Roasted, a viral roast meat stall with a seemingly endless queue of hungry folks waiting for their food. Guess who joined them?
You’re probably wondering why a roast meat stall, of all places, has a long queue. While stalls like these are fairly popular, I wouldn’t say they are so big that you see the kind of snaking queues you’d find at a chicken rice stall.
Here’s what makes Chef Lup Roasted so special: it was opened by Chef Darren Lup, a man who has more than 15 years of experience in Cantonese roast. This includes an 8-year stint as Executive Chef at Kam’s Roast. Chef Lup flexes his achievements with a sign at the side of his stall.
This was the queue when I arrived at 11am, almost half an hour after they opened. If anything, this confirmed my assumption that Chef Lup Roasted was legit. Furthermore, I’ve read reports that the stall runs out of meat by noon due to high demand, so I recommend visiting early if you plan to try their food.
What to order at Chef Lup Roasted
The 3 Meat Combo Rice (S$8.80) is the best way to sample Chef Lup Roasted’s range, as it features all 3 available meats in one plate — herbal slices of duck, tender roast pork, and sweet, crystalised char siew.
Each order comes with a choice of plain white rice or fragrant oily rice. The latter is the better pairing, as its richness complements the roast meats more effectively than standard white rice.
Each spoonful of rice carried beautiful grains that burst with potent flavours from the duck fat they were coated in. My only nitpick was that the rice was a bit cold and dry, but a dousing of the provided chilli solved the latter issue effortlessly.
Among all 3 meats offered in my platter, the roast duck was definitely the most abundant. I had a variety of slices, which ranged from tender slabs of duck meat to soft yet generous pieces of skin. It also came drizzled with a healthy amount of house-made dang gui sauce, which gave the duck a gentle earthiness.
The sheer tenderness of the duck made me forget what kind of bird I was eating. Seriously, I’ve never tasted a slice of roast duck that came apart so easily.
Onto the crystal char siew, which, in my opinion, was the true star of the show. It was lean and fat in equal measure, and melted in my mouth with subtle sweetness. A smoky aftertaste lingered in my mouth long after I swallowed each slice, further adding to the experience.
The Houson Duck: Award-winning Teochew duck rice from my childhood
Last but definitely not least, the roast pork. The top layer of golden skin made an absolutely divine crunch sound when I bit down, and each crackle was music to my ears. While the meat was already well-seasoned on its own, I found it best enjoyed with a dip into the chilli.
Chef Lup Roasted also gave me a generous 6 pieces of roast pork, so I had zero complaints about the portions.
With all the praise I’ve sung about their meats, it’s unfortunate to note that their soup didn’t quite stick the landing. Each plate of rice comes with a small bowl of salted egg duck soup, which is supposed to act like a palate cleanser. It tried to be savoury and salty, but I only tasted a sharp and unpleasant sourness that made me shun the soup after the first sip.
It also came with a single piece of boiled duck meat that was way too tough and chewy. If they wanted to offer a palate cleanser, I would’ve preferred the standard white radish soup. No matter, I applaud the creativity and hope that they refine the recipe further.
Who Chef Lup Roasted is for
Chef Lup Roasted is the perfect stall for roast meat lovers who find themselves in Golden Mile Food Centre. Alternatively, if you’re an NS-man buying supplies from the army market above, pop by Chef Lup Roasted for a good lunch.
How to get there
Chef Lup Roasted is located within Golden Mile Food Centre, a 10-minute walk from Lavender MRT. You can also take bus 100, 961, or 980 from the bus stop opposite The Gateway to reach the hawker centre.
Do we recommend Chef Lup Roasted?
Yes, I absolutely recommend Chef Lup Roasted! You’re spoilt for choice with the variety of good meats offered, as well as the special fragrant rice that pairs well with the meat. While the soup can be improved, it’s meant to be an optional palate cleanser so it doesn’t truly affect my overall opinion of the food.
People also read:
What is the best duck rice in Singapore?
Where can I find good Yong Tau Foo in Golden Mile Food Centre?
Is this MICHELIN-approved duck rice in Singapore actually good?
