Sin Lee Foods: Soulful nosh



Some days when the cravings for Chicken and Waffles get a little too overbearing to handle, I slip on some decent shoes and head out the house in search for instant gratification at Sin Lee Foods (though I am now considering standing in line for 30mins under the hot sun for a taste of the forbidden fruit from Clinton Street Baking Company...that can wait). However, confessions first, this plan always fizzles midway, at this very juncture, hunger takes precedence and a toss up between a nearer cafe and this one, often ends up with the former emerging victorious. A tragic outcome, evident from my last visit being in July last year. You can read about it here.


But first coffee, there's just something indescribably charming about sipping on a meticulously poured cuppa joe, in a unhurried nature of matured Bukit Ho Swee estate. Roasts hail from Papa Pahleta, so don't expect to wowed by any complex overtures, this is a simple blend with familiar taste notes for easy drinking.



It's always nice when a cafe surprises you. Say, when it looks like your run-of-the-mill neighbourhood joint, or similar to the dozens of minimalist cafes sprouting out on local shores, the sort of place you go in just for a coffee...and it turns out to be bloody fantastic. Such is the case with Sin Lee Foods, especially when I got first dibs of their Aburi Broccoli Salad ($12): Smoky torched broccoli florets meets  the assault of white balsamic vinegar, the crackle of papadum crisps overhead and a slight tainting of red sugar for a sweet hint. There's nothing quite like this to compare it with, and hence, its easy to see why this is the star dish at Sin Lee Foods. Those crisp broccoli, by the way, are pretty special - no points for guessing whether or not any nutrient values still remain in their parched souls; but honestly, who gives two hoots - this was way to delicious.

For substantials, the Breakfast Tortilla ($19) is a good one for those seeking a 'balanced' diet of sorts. It's splashy assembly of ingredients covering almost every food group there is. Buttery folds of scrambled eggs whets the appetite, but is a let-down with a lack of attention to seasoning. The pork bratwurst and bacon, your staple components to any big breakfast meal were acceptable; the dry and stiffened chorizo, not so much - a state that could have been avoided if they weren't slit through the center before meeting the plancha. 

Don't eat too much of it though, you're going to want to save room for the Sin Lee Fried Chicken and Waffles ($21.90). A hefty slab of deep fried har cheong gai boneless chicken leg sits on its golden throne encompassing of a crisp waffle. Like a hardcore moonshine, the melted maple butter will leave you in a sorrowful mess as you work your way through your next fried chicken meal - the missing link, I call it. My only gripe would be the soddy mess of a coleslaw that attempted to tear mushy holes into my beautiful magic carpet ride. Scrape that off the side immediately upon receiving the dish, especially if you're slow to ingest your meal, or risk winding up with a wet nappy-esque quarter of a waffle at the end. If you heed my advice, the overall combination complements each other just perfectly. This is a can't-miss dish.



Sin Lee Foods
4 Jalan Bukit Ho Swee
S(162004)

Operating Hours:
Tues-Fri: 11am - 9pm
Sat: 9 30am - 9pm
Sun: 9 30am - 6pm
Mon: Closed

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