Malaysia
Singapore
Thailand
Imagine painstakingly setting up the restaurant of your dreams, only for 2 disasters to strike one after another, leaving you with no choice but to shut it down. Just a few years back, Angela and Aaron, the owner-couple of Momma’s Pizza & Rice Meal, faced this particular ordeal.
Firstly, a nearby volcano in Alabang, Muntinlupa erupted, scattering ash everywhere and forcing the closure of the entire area surrounding the restaurant. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic struck soon after.
Given what they faced, they didn’t give up and decided to set up a kopitiam stall at 121 Geylang East Central in late 2023.
“Angela’s passion in life is cooking.” Aaron exclaimed proudly, which was what spurred them to carry on being in F&B.
The Filipino couple have called Singapore their home for the past 2 decades. Aaron has a full time job but returns to the stall every now and then to assist Angela, who helms the kitchen.
“She calls me back to help very regularly!” Aaron shared with a laugh.
What I tried at Momma’s Pizza & Rice Meal
We began with the Bicol Express (S$7.50), a newly-launched dish named after the old train that once traveled between Manila and Naga. This Filipino rice dish featured a bed of rice topped with furikake, alongside a serving of fried pork belly smothered in a creamy coconut gravy. Fresh corn kernels and tomatoes completed the presentation.
“Doesn’t it look like a train to you?” Aaron asked us— how cute!
The first thing that came to my mind when I tasted the thick gravy was tom kha kai, a Thai coconut chicken soup, except that its taste was more intense. Ultimately, I believe it comes down to each individual’s opinion— I found it enjoyable, whereas my dining partner wasn’t as keen on it.
Green and red chilli slices were delicately nestled within the sauce mix, delivering a subtle spicy kick that even kids could enjoy. Aaron shared with me that in the Philippines, the spice level of the sauce is similar to our local sambal but they have toned it down.
The fried pork belly had a great texture with a crispy exterior. When paired with the plain rice, the combination was great as it mellowed down the richness of the meat, while injecting a subtle umami flavour.
Out of the 15 pizza choices, the Bacon & Potato (S$7.50 for solo, S$9.50 for 10 inch) tickled my fancy, as potato toppings on pizza are relatively uncommon in my experience.
We ordered the solo as there were only 2 of us. The Bacon Potato consisted of bacon pieces, potatoes, onions, mozzarella cheese, and an artful drizzle of Japanese mayo.
The sinfulness of the bacon, sweet onions and potatoes danced a tantalising tango on my taste buds. How about the mayo? Well, it was the icing on the cake, adding that extra layer of creamy indulgence together with the luscious cheese.
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We also were recommended the Overload (S$9 for solo, S$11 for 10 inch). Staying true to its name, our solo-sized pizza was topped with pepperoni, bacon, chicken ham, smoked sausage, mushroom, capsicum, mozzarella cheese, onions, corn and olives.
My dining partner, the Filipino food guru, recognised the sausage, saying that it’s from the Philippines and Jollibee uses something similar. Despite my attempts to isolate its flavour, I couldn’t quite discern any distinctive smokey notes.
As I savoured the Overload, my taste buds were bombarded with a whirlwind of flavours and textures. However, despite the plethora of sensations, both my dining partner and I still favoured the Bacon Potato over this option.
Last but not least, we tried another Filipino rice dish, the Tap–Silog (S$7.50). I learnt that it’s actually a trio of ingredients which consisted of beef, garlic rice and fried egg.
The beef slices were fragrant and tasty with a tinge of sweetness. The fried garlic bits on top enhanced the experience. My only complaint was that it could be more tender.
I found it difficult to detect any hints of garlic and it felt to me more like plain rice with garlic chips sprinkled on top. Tapping on my past chef experience, I was honest and told Aaron and Angela about my thoughts, and also shared another way of preparing it.
Final thoughts
It’s not everyday that you come across a stall like Momma’s Pizza & Rice Meal, selling Filipino rice meals, pizza and Korean wings, all at one spot.
I’ve personally visited a couple of other pizza hawker stalls in Singapore, and the prices over here are definitely more affordable. Although Filipino food isn’t something that I eat all the time, I feel like I now have a better understanding of the culture and cuisine after experiencing it at this stall.
If you’re near Aljunied MRT station, why not swing by the stall and say hi to Angela and Aaron?
Order Delivery: foodpanda
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