First dibs: 808 Eating House — Former fine-dining chef opens vibrant eatery serving South-East Asian cuisine at Joo Chiat
Looking for a place to have creative food with a jazzy ambience perfect for a get-together? Look no further than 808 Eating House, which is located at Joo Chiat!
Having opened in early Mar 2023, 808 Eating House is quite a new establishment. However, their amazing reviews so far show their popularity. Advertised as a casual and inviting eatery, 808 Eating House intends to provide inventive, large dishes, designed for sharing amongst friends and family.
The founder, Chef Eugene Chee, wanted to shift away from the fine-dining scene after working at established fine dining restaurants like 3-Michelin starred Atelier Crenn and Bar Crenn in San Francisco and Magic Square in Singapore. His credibility is no joke!
Following his roots, he envisioned a pleasantly casual place for people to enjoy innovative recreations of South-East Asian flavours. A space for friends and family to eat some good grub and have a memorable time— doesn’t that sound lovely? We decided to check 808 Eating House out, curious as to what Chef Eugene and his team has in store. And we were not let down for sure!
Appetisers are extremely important, as they set the mood and expectations for the diners throughout the experience. 808 Eating House opened with a bang, serving out Pickled Quail Eggs (S$6) and Crispy Baby Squid (S$16).
The Pickled Quail Eggs packed an acidic and savoury punch, thanks to its black vinegar coating. We agreed that it made for a bomb-like snack, and worked fantastic as an appetiser. The Crispy Baby Squid was coated in light batter of potato starch, making each bite airy yet crunchy, and paired well with the buttery, mayo-like squid ink aioli.
The 2 other dishes that left us satisfied were the Sweet XL Clams (S$24) and Buah Keluak Pork Belly (S$26). The hua-tiao broth that accompanied the Sweet XL Clams reminded us of Chinese fish head soup and the tablespoon-sized clams were huge They sure weren’t kidding about it being XL!
The Buah Keluak Pork Belly blew our mind, leaving us dazed from that rich umami hit. If we were to describe it, it were be if buah keluak was crafted into a sauce and paired with fork-tender pork belly. Those who adore Peranakan flavours are sure to melt for this dish!
To end the meal at 808 Eating House on a high note, Chef Eugene served 2 desserts: a new item, Honeydew Sorbet, and the Ice Cream Sandwich (S$12). The Honeydew Sorbet was super shiok, calming us from the salty high earlier.
The sandwich wafers from the Ice Cream Sandwich had been just like the ones given from the ice cream uncle’s push cart, which evoked many nostalgic memories. This dessert had depth in terms of a variety of flavours— it was salty from the mushroom crumbles, while the earthiness from the black sesame brought the dessert to greater heights. We thoroughly enjoyed the slight touch of mint, which elevated it further.
Bored of the usual dishes and want to try something that will blow your mind? 808 Eating House would definitely have to be your next destination. Be sure to bring a couple more mouths to try more of their menu too!
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