Fat Belly: Well-Marbled Alternative Steak Cuts Like Tri-Tip + Deckle In New Space At Bukit Timah

The last time I stepped foot into Fat Belly was more than a year ago was when they were still a 10-seater speakeasy steak place that operated after 6pm. In the day, the space was run as an ice cream parlour.

Fat Belly

Today, the dessert side is gone and Fat Belly is a prime 52-seater steakhouse that charms Bukit Timah residents by night. They promise to serve uncommon cuts, so don’t expect tenderloin and sirloin to be on the menu. These cuts are rotated ever-so-often based on what’s best and availability.

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With a new menu comes new starters. Their Duck & Fig (S$13) features house-made duck rillette, fresh figs, a touch of blackcurrant gel and a side of sourdough toast. The duck wasn’t overly gamey; in fact, it had a touch of sweetness that I simply hadn’t experienced before in duck meat.

The fig was a good choice, lending crunch and fruitiness to the rich duck meat.

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What I found irresistible, however, was the Baked Camembert Cheese (S$13). I absolutely adore camembert so this was a real treat for me. The unmistakable gooeyness pulled me in, while the fragrance of the cheese permeated the air the moment I sliced through it.

Excuse the lack of foodporn shots of oozy cheese; I was too engrossed in this dish to remember to take more than one obligatory shot. The peppering of walnuts added a great woody profile, overall.

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First up, I sampled the Stockyard Wagyu Marble Score 4-5 Onglet (200g) (S$38). Its colour was a medium-red, and the portion was sliced into fairly thin cuts. In terms of texture, it was really smooth and had little resistance when chewed.

There was also very little fat on this cut but proved to be the best one of the three that I enjoyed that evening.

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The cut with the faintest colour was the Mayura Signature Marble Score 9+ Wagyu Tri-tip (200g) (S$55). But don’t let deter you from ordering it! The lack of contrast doesn’t equate to less flavour. This smaller triangular cut from the sirloin has good marbling, which equates to extra juiciness and a very easy chew.

It does, however, lack a little “beefy” flavour (simply put), so if you’re really into rich, savoury cuts, this might not the one for you.

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The 400 Day Grain Fed F1 Wagyu Marble Score 4-5 Deckle (300g) (S$65) was the most robust-looking of the lot, with a bright red hue that made it stand out visually. Also known as a ribeye cap, the deckle lies on top of the ribs and has a very full mouthfeel thanks to its fattiness.

It’s a succulent cut and something you can definitely enjoy on its own — sans sauce — and really appreciate how the meat tears apart gratifyingly in every bite.

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The sauces here come at an extra cost, with the Horseradish Crème (S$3) and the Green Peppercorn Sauce (S$4) being my top picks. The former was undeniably creamy without being too cloying and didn’t overpower the natural taste of the beef (because that would be a gross injustice to the beef!).

The latter had a punchier note of acidity that helped cut the fattiness while lending mild heat to the decadent beef.

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With everyone on the Basque cheesecake trend, I wasn’t surprised to find Fat Belly presenting their own version. Their Basque Burnt Cheesecake (S$12) didn’t have a solid exterior that I would’ve preferred, and the cheesecake’s middle wasn’t as runny as I expected.

Visual aspects aside, it was still a decent slice. But I’m not partial towards cheesecakes, so I’m unable to vouch for this.

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On the other hand, I frickin’ love tiramisu! Here you get a hunky portion for S$12, and the layers melded together beautifully. I would say I make a pretty mean version myself, and I always try to taste every tiramisu dessert I come across so I can rank them in my head.

There was sufficient coffee flavour to satisfy me, and the mascarpone cheese didn’t overwhelm the delicate and fluffy sponge layers. I could’ve easily polished off two servings on my own.


Lovers of steak will find Fat Belly a good place to learn about lesser-known cuts and grow their love for red meat. I, for one, appreciated their alternative options for sauces, especially when one can get rather bored of the regular ol’ red wine sauce or black pepper sauce.

I would suggest it as your next date night stop.

Expected Damage: S$50 – S$90 per pax

Price: $ $ $

Our Rating: 4 / 5

Fat Belly

10 Jalan Serene, Serene Centre, #01-04, Singapore 258748

Price
Our Rating 4/5

Fat Belly

10 Jalan Serene, Serene Centre, #01-04, Singapore 258748

Telephone: +65 6314 2247
Operating Hours: 6pm- 10pm (Tue - Thu & Sun), 6pm - 11pm (Fri & Sat), Closed on Mon
Telephone: +65 6314 2247

Operating Hours: 6pm- 10pm (Tue - Thu & Sun), 6pm - 11pm (Fri & Sat), Closed on Mon
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