Raffles Western Delights: S$5 Sirloin Steak + Cheap Old School Western Food At This Hidden Kopitiam Along Bedok Reservoir Rd

 

If you told me that I could get a sirloin steak for just S$5, inclusive of rice and crinkle-cut fries, I honestly wouldn’t believe you.

Well, seeing is believing, so I dropped by Raffles Western Delights, a tiny western stall located at a kopitiam along 631 Bedok Reservoir Road, to check it out.

Raffles Western Delights 0098

It took me a good 10 minutes to find Raffles Western Delights because its address online is listed as 630 Bedok Reservoir Road.

Lo and behold, my cab dropped me at 630 Bedok Reservoir Food Centre, but I couldn’t find the stall. I walked circles around Block 630 and 632, before finding Raffles Western Delight at 631 Bedok Reservoir Road.

Raffles Western Delights 0103

You’ll spot this coffeeshop easily because of its bright yellow chairs, which are sprawled across the alfresco area, which was well-ventilated and spacious.

The coffeeshop is operated by Kimly Limited, Singapore’s largest traditional coffeeshop operator, so you’ll also spot stalls like Kimly Handmade Dim Sum. That’s how you know you’ve gotten the right kopitiam!

If all else fails, head for the row of blocks directly opposite Block 627 Bedok Reservoir Road.

Raffles Western Delights 0109

Despite its inconspicuous exterior, Raffles Western Delights has been around for the past 14 years, with a steady stream of fans and supporters who have followed its every move.

While we were there, we spotted plenty of diners whom the old couple recognised by sight. It was a really heartwarming scene.

Raffles Western Delights 0116

Raffles Western Delights has a total of 12 items on its menu, all of which are rice sets that come with garlic rice, baked beans and cucumbers.

The 12 items are all super wallet-friendly. Most of its dishes, like its Chicken Cutlet Rice Set (S$4.50) and Sirloin Steak Rice Set (S$5), average between S$4 to S$5. Its cheapest dish is the Sausage & Egg Rice Set (S$3.30) and its most costly dish is Mixed Chop Rice Set (S$6).

Raffles Western Delights 0140

The first thing I ordered was the Chicken Cutlet Rice Set (S$4.50), which came with crinkle-cut fries, baked beans, garlic fried rice, and a couple of slices of cucumber.

Raffles Western Delights 0155

Honestly, I wasn’t impressed just by looking at the chicken cutlet. I thought it looked battered, with some portions being thin while other bits being thicker. However, the minute I bit into it, I was blown away.

The chicken crust was sandy, peppery and crispy, which reminded me of KFC’s Original recipe. It wasn’t overly salty nor oily — a huge plus point from my point of view. Though the chicken cutlet itself was pretty thin at some points, the meat was still tender and soft.

I especially loved the little nuggets of meat that had broken away from the main piece of chicken. It was just like breaded chicken tenders, perfect for popping in your mouth.

Raffles Western Delights 0159

The garlic fried rice was buttery and fragrant, with a faint saltiness from soy sauce (which gave the rice its slightly brown tinge), as well as sweetness from the fried egg.

I really liked it that the garlic rice was fried well, with its texture not being too mushy nor dry, and it went well with the flavourful and addictive chicken cutlet.

Raffles Western Delights 0153

The Sirloin Steak Set (S$5) came with a syrupy black pepper sauce, garlic fried rice, crinkle-cut fries, as well as baked beans and slices of cucumber.

Though I had kept in mind that the steak was merely S$5, I didn’t expect it to be this flat or thin. Plus, after a while, the black pepper sauce became thicker, almost as if the chef had added too much cornstarch in the sauce and it had only started to thicken now.

Raffles Western Delights 0164

If you’re expecting the sirloin steak to come medium-rare, you’d be sorely disappointed. The meat itself was too thin to even be cooked medium rare, but for S$5, together with rice, fries and vegetables, it’s still considerably worth it.

The meat itself was seared nicely, with a good smoky char. Despite how it looked, the meat wasn’t stringy at all. It was spring and had a nice bite to it, but I wish it had been more tender.

Raffles Western Delights 0135

I also ordered the Fish & Chips Rice Set (S$4.50) to see how Raffles Western Delights dishes out seafood, and I was definitely impressed.

There were two large pieces of dory, and just like the rest of its rice sets, it came with garlic fried rice, crinkle-cut fries, baked beans and cucumber slices.

Raffles Western Delights 0166

The fish was fresh and sweet, and the flesh was soft and tender when I bit into it.

The batter, which was the same as the one used for the Chicken Cutlet Rice Set, was on the thinner side. In this case, I considered it an added bonus because I could taste the natural sweetness of the flaky fish. Most shops tend to use too much batter, so you end up getting too little fish.


While I wouldn’t recommend the Sirloin Steak Rice Set for friends craving a good piece steak, the Chicken Cutlet Rice Set and the Fish & Chips Rice Set were both incredibly delicious and worth it.

I loved how well seasoned both dishes were, and the batter that Raffles Western Delight used was addictively piquant and peppery. For S$4.50, you’re definitely getting your money’s worth.

Expected Damage: S$3.30 – S$6 per pax

Price: $

Our Rating: 4 / 5

Raffles Western Delights

631 Bedok Reservoir Road, Singapore 470631

Price
Our Rating 4/5

Raffles Western Delights

631 Bedok Reservoir Road, Singapore 470631

Operating Hours: 11.30am - 9pm (Wed - Mon), Closed on Tue

Operating Hours: 11.30am - 9pm (Wed - Mon), Closed on Tue

Newest