Eleven Fingers Curry Rice: Extra Thumb, Extra Taste!
Braised Pork
If I were to open an Economical Rice Stall, I would open one that sells Hainanese Curry Rice. The reason is simple. With Hainanese Curry Rice, you only really need six dishes. A good Chicken Curry, Braised Pork, Chap Chye....... Ok, you only need three dishes. The rest can be side dishes which really don't need a lot of skill, like fried luncheon meat and eggs. Of course, having crispy fried pork would be another bonus but as long as you have the Hainanese trinity of dishes, you should be ok.
Our peculiar way of eating Hainanese Curry Rice might be a challenge for some foreigners. I mean, Curry mixed with Black Braising Sauce mixed with gooey stewed cabbage doesn't sound particularly appetizing does it? It's no wonder that Hainanese Curry Rice has never made it to the Tourism Board's list of things to eat in Singapore. It just takes too much effort to convince a tourist that it is a serious dish rather than a prank to poke some fun at an unsuspecting foreigner.
Chap Chye doused with Chicken Curry
But for Singaporeans, the unlikely combination is just heavenly. Somehow it works and it works at a level that really produces a Umami Bomb. I feel it everytime I eat Hainanese Rice. It is one of those dishes that really satisfies when you have just finished that 20km roadmarch.
This particular stall was recommended by SCS Butter, a man whose passion for food is as evident as the nose in front of your face. So everytime SCS Butter says something is good, my radar usually will zero in on the eatery. He is the same guy who recommended the Her Giao at Lau Sim, Northen Thai Tom Yum Fish Soup and Middle Road Pork Ribs Noodles which I am sure you all will agree are great finds.
Anyway, the dishes here, taken individually are a 4/5 at most. But when you combine the three together, it becomes a 4.25/5. I might have given them a higher mark if they had the crispy pork which is what makes the No Name Curry Rice at Beo Crescent my current favourite Hainanese Curry Rice.
Conclusion
If you are near the National Library and really hungry, this is a great place to satisfy that hunger with some really unattractive but extremely tasty grub.
Eleven Fingers Curry Rice
Blk 269B, #01-235 Queen St
Singapore 180269
Closed alternate Fridays
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19 comments:
This is one of my regular makan place during lunchtime as it is near my office. There is always a long queue at two stalls - the Hainanese Curry Rice and the Roast Duck/Char Siew Rice (which is good too). Avoid going there during 初一／十五 (1st/15th day of Lunar month) as the coffee shop will be super packed due to the Kwan Im Temple nearby.
Wah... must try... : )
I love Hainanese curry rice.
a good minced pork patty would be good too!
I love hainanese rice too! must make a trip down soon...have to jio Champagne along:)
Cheers!
cranberry
haha for good hainanese mixed veg rice you gotta have good pork chop..and the fried sunny side up egg thats crispy at the sides and drizzled with good quality black sauce...i havent tried eleven fingers..but the one opposite tiong bahru market is definitely one of the best in singapore=)
i'm a big fan of the hainanese curry rice at maxwell market. Tried the one at beo crescent, i still feel the one at maxwell is better.
*SNIFF* 2 years ago, I only knew of Qi Ji and Food Junction to fill me up after mugging for A levels at the National Library. Dear ieat, can you add a *post back in time* feature to your blog that allows the post to appear before you reviewed the stall?
The roast duck and roast pork near to this curry rice is good... I will always go for that when I am there... soup is cheap too...
I agree with Anonymous. The Hainanese Curry Rice at Maxwell Market is good and also my favourite. However, make sure you go to the right stall -- there are 2 stalls bearing the same name at Maxwell market. One is a letdown, the other one with a long queue of customers is the one we are referring to.
previously it was because of your nasi biryani posting that made me had a few days of biryani in one week, & now this hainanese curry rice! hahaha...
Dr, i upload your episode onto youtube liao, a clearer version, you can link to that one if you want. url as below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk0RM_9E57k
i'm a Hainanese myself, and love how the Hainanese cook their curries. sad to say, cant find a good one here in Ipoh, Malaysia.
there are few and far, some outlets in KL, particularly Klang, that serve the Hainan curry rice, but none that really jumped at me.
Many thanks for the youtube upload!
LOVE THIS PLACE! haven't been there is ages. will go back there when i'm back in sg. =)
wondered if u tried the cze char there too. the mogolian rib is really good!
I love curry rice! In my opinion the best is at this coffeeshop beside Tiong Bahru Market. Try it! :)
The Hainanese curry rice at Seng Poh Rd (diagonally across the Tiong Bahru Market) is hands down the best. My family (yes we are hainanese) have been eating there for over 25 years. The pork chop is to die for! Beautiful pieces of thickly sliced pork. Drool...
Ah thanks for the address! Yes I must definitely go try it soon!
Tiong Bahru one is Loo's Hainanese Curry Rice. I personally prefer Tian Tian Hainanese Curry Rice at Blk 116 Bukit Merah View, in my opinion, best & definitely blog worthy. The pork chop, bah-ee, sotong & cabbage are the must-trys. Their curry powders are specially concocted by the owner himself.
From what i heard, the curry is made by the owner himself. It's his special recipe or something. I like to consume the breads with this store's curry. I seriously think this store's is a must try!
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