Meat & Rice: Dreamy melt-in-the-mouth braised meat rice bowls that hit all the right notes

One of my more peculiar pastimes has got to be daydreaming about dishes I’ve never actually eaten. The latest culprit: the braised pork belly rice bowls from Meat & Rice, which have starred in these fantasies ever since I came across a reel about them months ago. The glossy meat, golden egg yolk, fluffy rice… it was all too easy to romanticise. I had to visit the moment I got the chance.

A simple name with food that sticks, Meat & Rice needs no introduction to avid foodies. This braised meat specialist began as a home-based business run by a passionate duo of friends, before expanding into a brick-and-mortar operation at ABC Brickworks in Aug 2024 to rave reviews. It’s since relocated across the island to a coffeeshop in Yishun — the highly anticipated destination of my latest food adventure.

What I tried at Meat & Rice

The stall’s menu is a straightforward affair, featuring just 4 types of braised meat rice bowls and a handful of add-ons. I couldn’t wait to tuck into the crown jewel of my daydreams: the Braised Pork Jowl Rice Bowl (S$6.70).

And what a pleasant surprise I was presented with! The deceivingly small bowl was packed with the works: a bed of pearl rice topped with glistening braised pork, garnished with sesame seeds, shallots and spring onions, and accompanied by shiitake mushroom, jiggly sous vide egg, salted vegetables and a square of fried wanton skin.

I couldn’t pass up the “inauguration ceremony” every phone-eats-first truther swears by: breaking into that sous vide egg, its gleaming yolk flowing onto its counterparts like a gentle pool of lava. *shutter snap*

Now, for the main event. Braised for over 16 hours, the pork jowl fell apart at the prod of my chopsticks. It had the perfect balance of meat and creamy fat, melting in my mouth with luxurious ease. The braise was rich and deeply savoury, its mellow saltiness lifted by a subtle sweetness from the soy sauce and shallots, with warm undertones of garlic rounding it all out.

One word: wow. Comforting, indulgent and incredibly moreish, this easily earned a spot in the big leagues above other braised meats I’ve tried.

Zhu Zhu Zai: Ex-private dining chef sells lu rou fan & braised pork pizza from $3.80

Equally rich were the thick-cut shiitake mushrooms — teeth-sinkingly juicy, and soaked through with the gob-smacking braising sauce. While shiitake can sometimes veer into an off-putting pungency I’m not usually fond of, these struck the right balance: earthy and bold without tipping into funk.

In the best way, there was no pristine way to enjoy this bowl. Once I’d sampled each ingredient on its own, I gave the lot a good mix — transforming it into a lusciously gooey amalgamation of everything, everywhere, all at once.

I made sure every spoonful carried a bit of them all: saucy pork against pillowy grains of rice slicked in gravy and egg yolk, salted vegetables to cut through the richness and a sliver of crispy wanton skin for a fun pop of crunch. I don’t think I’ve ever wished harder for a bowl to be bottomless.

Moving on, I had the Braised Duck Rice Bowl (S$6.90), which I’d also heard great things about. I’ve always had a soft spot for local-style duck rice, so the idea of Meat & Rice’s modernised, donburi-style spin had me instantly sold. Besides, its pork jowl counterpart had already left a solid first impression.

I know I already mentioned how generous the portions were, but this was next level. The bowl came piled with duck slices — that massive spoonful you see in the picture isn’t even half of what I was dealt with. Just imagine.

The duck was delicately sliced, each piece soft and tender with just enough bite to hold its own. It tasted clean, not the least bit gamey, and absorbed the braise beautifully — full-bodied and savoury all the same. Easy on the palate and even easier to enjoy with the rice.

And how could I go without a shout-out to the chilli? Laced with fragrant notes of lemongrass, this tangy blend was a bright, refreshing complement to the rich braised meats — though I did wish it packed a touch more heat.

Final thoughts

I wonder why Meat & Rice has such a simple, unassuming name, when its food is anything but.

From the heavenly, melt-in-the-mouth pork jowl to the mountain of tender duck slices, gravy-laden rice and even the salted vegetables, every element hit the right notes. Simply put, I’ve been bowled over.

It goes without saying that I’d absolutely return. Except this time, there’s no need to fantasise — I’ll just come hungry.

Expected damage: S$6.50 – S$6.90 per pax

11 best hawker stalls at Chong Pang Market & Food Centre to fuel you up