Ever ordered from healthy food experience company Grain? Yes, the one with the ready-to-eat meal boxes and catering services.
Don’t be surprised by their latest venture, Hot Chick Buns.
Anyone up for some hearty halal chicken burgers?
In the beef-centric halal market, good chicken burgers at decent price points are hard to come by.
Chicken burgers are also well-rounded; they’re convenient, comforting, and appeal to (almost) everyone.
Foodie or not, you’ll take note of Hot Chick Buns’ keen attention to detail. The sauces are designed and prepared in-house, the buns are made of squid ink or semolina, and the chicken is grilled all the way through (instead of being both grilled and baked).
Although there are currently only four burgers on the menu, they’ll be rolling out new products over the next few months.
Now brace yourselves for an onslaught of punny names.
My One Aioli ($7.45) may just become your one and only.
Now, this was certainly one good-looking burger. Buttered squid ink buns, lettuce, onion, tomato, cheese, garlic aioli, and also a piece of golden-brown chicken thigh I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into.
You can’t compare it to a freshly prepared burger (that’s best enjoyed on the spot), but I was seriously impressed by how crisp the chicken was.
Juicy and tender, with a crunchy batter similar to that of soft shell crab, it was rendered even more irresistible by the fragrant garlic aioli, flecked with roasted garlic bits.
This simple yet effective presentation of flavours worked beautifully in my favour.
The same crispy chicken thigh and squid ink buns were taken up a notch in the Hot Ass-am (S$9.45), thanks to some creamy and tangy assam pedas mayonnaise.
I enjoyed the mild heat from the mayo, which made for a satisfying and finger-licking experience.
As with the former, the chicken did get a little greasy, but that’s a minor issue I can overlook. Just eat your burgers once you receive them!
The rich and evocative Smokin’ Chick-potle (S$7.95) is not just a feast for the eyes.
I was greeted by a refreshing change of pace and taste. Flame-grilled chicken thigh was paired with an adobo chipotle sauce and a zesty, crunchy slaw on artisan semolina buns.
The chunky chicken wasn’t as juicy or gratifying as its deep-fried counterpart, but the array of fresh, sweet and spicy flavours won me over.
As for the semolina buns? They just weren’t as fluffy (pretty coarse in fact) as regular burger buns.
Looking for something sloppy and saucy in all the right ways? You need Sambal-dy to Love (S$8.95).
This feisty fella heaved with flame-grilled ayam masak merah smothered in housemade sambal, a sunny side up and zesty slaw on artisan semolina buns.
The yolk had already split open, coating the bottom bun in its glossy lava, making the entire burger look even more inviting.
Indulgent and sweet with a steady, balanced buildup of heat, I was pleasantly surprised by how shiok this was. The sauce and slaw really came through, rounding off the burger with a triumphant finish.
Did it do ayam masak merah justice? I’m not well-versed in the dish, but I believe it’s a fun modern interpretation worth trying.
The only sides they offer are Skinny Fries (S$3.95) and Sweet Potato Fries (S$3.95), which were decent, albeit a little soggy. If you have a toaster or oven on hand, toss them in for a few minutes.
How did the sauces fare sans burgers?
Both the smoky Chipotle Mayo Dip (S$1) and delicious Assam Pedas Dip (S$1) were capable of carrying their own weight. Paired with sweet potato fries, the latter was especially addictive.
I didn’t quite enjoy the oily mouthfeel of the Garlic Aioli Dip (S$1) on its own.
It’s a versatile dip, though. Spread it on toast and make garlic bread, pasta, or even a fancy grilled cheese sandwich.
They currently only deliver to Tampines and Central Singapore and will expand based on customer demand. Islandwide delivery is available for orders over S$300.
Central Area: Order via Foodpanda, Deliveroo, or GrabFood
Tampines: Order via Foodpanda
Combat Monday blues and order in for the entire office. These upgraded, quality buns are sure to brighten up any occasion.
After all, it doesn’t hurt to indulge a little.
Expected Damage: S$10 per pax
