FOOD REVIEW: Get a taste of Li Nanxing's chef skills at Bakers & Co
Does a dish exist if there are no online reviews? At Yummy! Reviews, we aim to be honest and transparent about the food we cover. As much as possible, we paid for the food. Where meals are offered for free, don’t assume for a moment we will disguise our delight or displeasure. What is guaranteed, however, are honest opinions (though we recognise taste is subjective) and relevant deets, to help you make a decision about a visit.
An Ah Ge of Caldecott Hill (now known as Mediacorp) is an endearing term given to male artistes at the pinnacle of the local television scene. And one particular Ah Ge, inspired by his family’s heirloom Peranakan recipes, has just collaborated with a bakery.
Singaporean Ah Ge Li Nanxing has more than acting chops, Best Actor accolades and a decade of achieving Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes up his sleeves. Collaborating with new bakery Bakers & Co, he recently revealed two of his personal creations on the menu: Ah Ge’s Curry Chicken Set ($9.90) and Ah Ge’s Dried Scallop Hae Bee Hiam with Croissant (3 for $7.90).
It’s a labour of love that is both yummy and affordable. We got sold initially on the Hae Bee Hiam Croissant, and so pop down to the bakery during its opening week to try out the new items.
First Impressions
The Dried Scallop Hae Bee Hiam with Croissant looks smaller than what I had in mind, but looks stuffed to the brim with the dried scallop and prawn paste filling, atop a small leaf of lettuce.
The Curry Chicken set comes in a nice don, which honestly threw me off track for a bit. But, if I squint, I can perhaps pretend it’s a bowl with Peranakan designs. The baguette is soft and fluffy, but pass the crackle test with a fork. It’s an interesting fusion presentation, but as with any food review, the true test lies in its taste.
Taste Test
Check out the video as we give a rating for all of the dishes we tried at Taste Gourmet Market... with poker cards.
Verdict
Crowd-pleaser Dried Scallop Hae Bee Hiam with Croissant is definitely a conversation-starter in more ways than one. The Hae Bee Hiam adds a savoury touch to a classic croissant, and it is definitely something one would reach out to again and again.
The Curry Chicken Set is comforting, like a bowl you’d have at your aunt’s place on a rainy day, but be sure to get the baguettes to soak up the thick curry. If you’re a spice-lover, this is not it, but on the bright side, children would love this curry too!
Special thanks to Taste Gourmet Market for a taste of its Christmas offerings and Sens Singapore for its delectable Japanese food offerings.
Bakers & Co
118 Holland Avenue, B1 of Holland Raffles V Mall, Singapore 278997
8:00am to 10:00pm daily
