Coucou Restaurant: Traditional Swiss Fare Including Rosti and Malakoff at Craig Rd

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This ‘Circuit Breaker’ period might seem like a dream come true for homebodies, but for foodies like me, I’m starting to really miss the entire experience of eating out.

I’ve come to realise meals are more than just a means to feed one’s self; it’s a social interaction that adds value and meaning to your day.

But that’s also why, I was immensely happy to find out that Coucou Restaurant, one of the last few places I had an opportunity to dine at, is still delivering and offering takeaway during this isolation period.

Located at Craig Road, it’s merely a few metres’ walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT, and right down the street from bustling Keong Saik Road.

What makes Coucou Restaurant really stand out is its Swiss cuisine, presenting dishes that represent the best mix of its core influences from German, French, and Italian culture. If you’re thinking that this place is simply mirroring Marché, you’re in for a world of education.

Its one-of-a-kind offerings aside, its interior is also something to take in as you walk past a narrow row of seats to find yourself at the end, showered in natural light and a cosy corner that reminds one much of a ski cabin in the Alps.

It’s sad that we won’t be able to bask in this inviting nook for a lil’ while longer, but in the meantime, you can still get their traditional Swiss fare delivered straight to your homes or opt for takeaway if you live in the area.

Minimum orders for delivery is S$50, with a S$5 delivery fee, while orders above S$150 can enjoy complimentary delivery! If you choose to pick the order up yourself, there’s a 15% discount awaiting you as well. Their delivery/takeaway menu can be found here. Please place your orders early (online or at +65 6226 0060⁣/+65 9731 3788 for Whatsapp and SMS only)⁣, so that they can be prepared in time.

Are you the type who silently refuses to order a salad when eating out? Here at Coucou restaurant, you’ll want to—especially their Coucou Salade (S$8 per serving), a massive serving of shredded cabbage with a side of homemade ‘Grand Père‘ dressing. There’s an element of fun injected into the serving of the salad, as you toss the salad and dressing together with giant wooden serving utensils.

The dressing was a heady mix of tangy, sweet, and just a nuance of balsamic at the finish. It made the salad very palatable, and my dining partner and I both kept going in for seconds and thirds. Who knew such a simple recipe could warrant such a favourable reaction?

Now, we should all be familiar with shoestring fries; however, nothing can come close to the Pommes Allumettes (S$8), which translates to ‘matchstick potatoes’. The fries here are prepared a la minute, so you know there’s no batch-frying going on in the kitchen.

The kitchen crew takes a fresh potato and peels and slices it only when an order comes in, so you know you’re getting the real deal. The fries were incredibly slender, delicate, and lightly salted; they required little jaw work, which made them all the more addictive. If you’re arriving on an empty stomach, you might need to order two portions just to make it last.

If only all the world’s problems could be solved with deep-fried cheese—their Malakoff (S$10) is a spherical sensation. The Malakoff is a literal dome of melted gruyère cheese that’s found only in Western Switzerland. Fun fact: in the 19th century, a group of Swiss mercenaries helped Russia to fight in the Siege of Sevastopol and the Swiss brought the recipe back to Switzerland.

I suppose if you were going to beg, steal, or borrow anything from a country, it best be one of their yummiest recipes!

The gruyère cheese instantly oozed out of its crusty shell, and the aroma lured me in almost too quickly before I could remember to take a photo of it in all its glory. Everything about this appetiser made me momentarily forget the world, and all I could focus on was the rich, fatty, mild saltiness that was coating every corner of my palate.

I would suggest sharing this, although the portion is sufficient for one person. You might not want to overwhelm your appetite too early, as the mains are worth leaving your hunger unappeased for just a short while.

Rosti is certainly one of the best exports that Switzerland has shared with the world, and on Coucou Restaurant’s menu, there are plenty to choose from. We went with Emincé à la Zurichoise (S$30 for Chicken, S$36 for Veal), a Zurich-style ragout, served with a crackling portion of rosti.

The ragout had an appealing sheen which made us dig in for a hefty spoonful of rosti and ragout. Both of us were incredibly floored by how flavourful, earthy, deep, and full-bodied the ragout was, even though it was only a chicken ragout.

The consistency wasn’t overly creamy or thick, and the rosti retained its crispy top even with all the ragout mixed in, in one pan. I can safely say, I’d never been this impressed with a ragout, and if you’re planning to order a few rostis, this one has to be on your list.

However, those looking for lighter mains, the Filet de Truite à la Genevoise (S$36) is a great choice. It’s a trout fillet prepared Geneva-style, and served humbly with lemon, butter, and capers. As an accompanying carb, you can’t miss out on Spätzli (S$8), a soft dumpling Swiss pasta-style.

The trout’s skin was delightfully crisp, while the flesh was bright orange-pink and as succulent as it was flaky. With three pieces in one portion, it could easily be shared between two people, together with an assortment of sides.

The Spätzli isn’t a dumpling in the Asian sense, but leans more towards a gnocchi-esque twirly pasta. With a slightly chewy consistency, this well-seasoned pasta was an ideal marriage with the trout, especially given their opposing textures.

The dessert that stood out to me the most was Meringues & Double Crème de la Gruyère (S$18), made out of Swiss meringue that’s served with red fruits and gruyère double cream. They nailed it with the balance of flavours and textures, especially since the acidity of the fruits helped to lessen the cloying double cream.

Even with a meal so gruyère-centric, I didn’t feel one bit overfed leaving Coucou Restaurant. In fact, I left wanting to return as soon as I possibly could and try out the remaining rostis on the menu. So, if you’re feeling slightly weary of the usual home-cooked meals or want to take a break from being in the kitchen, a Swiss meal is your best bet. Do remember to #tapauplease, or opt for delivery!

Expected Damage: S$35 – S$50 per pax