Where celebrities eat: Chef Bjorn Shen
Celebrity chefs are confronted with a multitude of responsibilities. They have to juggle running back and forth to oversee their F&B outlets, working with their team to discuss strategies, business plans, new menus and appearing on TV shows to host every once in a while… just like our next featured chef.
Loyal followers of Masterchef Singapore will recognise him, often seen decked out in quirky and dapper streetwear complemented by an array of distinctive hats. He is none other than Chef Bjorn Shen, one of the 3 resident judges alongside Audra Morrice and Damian D’Silva.
Chef Bjorn Shen is also the chef-owner of Artichoke Singapore and Small’s (a 4-seater chef’s table concept serving omakase). You might be interested in learning about his preferred dining spots and the indulgent treats he turns to during his leisure hours.
So…. here’s a little about him.
Which cuisine would be your top choice, and why?
Indian food! I’m blown away by the multi-dimensional spices and depth of flavour that this cuisine brings to the table. I also love mixing lots of stuff on my plate and Indian food gives me many opportunities to do that.
I especially love rasam, dalcha, biryani, samosa and channa bhatura.
During your days off or after work, where do you like to dine or order takeaways from?
I usually get the classic Lox Bagel from Two Men Bagel House. Their Novena outlet’s Tikken is also fantastic, which consists of fried chicken with butter chicken sauce.
Can you name 1 particular hawker or kopitiam stall that you love?
That would be Stewart Fruit Juice at Adam Road Food Centre.
Which dish? Why do you like it? How long have you been patronising them?
They offer an off-menu ‘Stewart’s special’, a mysterious blend of various fruit juices layered beautifully in a cup. It’s absolutely delicious, and the lady boss keeps the ingredients a secret.
She encourages customers to savour each layer separately. Honestly, I’ve mixed them up before, and it still tastes fantastic. Despite being just fruit juice, it’s one of my all-time favourite beverages in Singapore, and I’ve been ordering it for nearly a decade now.
Name 1 restaurant in Singapore that you would choose for more formal events or family gatherings.
I like to bring my family to Yang Ming Seafood at Bishan.
Which dish? Why do you like it? How long have you been patronising them?
I think their fried crab bee hoon is one of the best in Singapore. I will always get the claypot eggplant and the pumpkin sauce prawns, too. They do simple things so well, even non-signatures like the dry fried beef horfun is outstanding. I’ve been a regular for the last 3 years.
Can you name 1 particular junk food that you love and why?
I can’t shake my addiction of chicken wings. It’s so bad that I even have a chicken wing tattoo inked on myself to commemorate my love for it! I just love cleaning out those bones and eating every last bit of skin and cartilage from them.
People who take 2 bites of their chicken wing and discard the rest make me uncomfortable.
What’s your preferred street food choice for a quick, light snack on the go?
I have a strong craving for the Thai fried bananas and yam from Talad Thai Banana outside the Thai Supermarket at Aperia Mall. I always find a reason to go there and grab a bag of these delectable snacks.
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