May May Review: The Cafe That Started the Modern Donburi Revolution in Singapore
Update: May May has since closed. But in loving memory of their dons, I've decided to still post this review done in 2015 .
Tras Street used to be this whole shady, quiet area, but now with establishments like May May, it's definitely the new hipster place to dine at in Singapore.
I came here with some reservations. The decor and the food look remarkably good on social media, almost too good to be true. Yes, I am highly suspicious of whatever seems too instagrammable, because more often than not it's all looks and no substance.
But I'm glad to say that I can understand the hype behind this modern donburi joint now. They have a perfect formula of great lighting, nice crockery, and amazingly creative and tasty rice bowls.
I came here in a group of 4 and here's what we ordered:
Warm Somen - $14
With the savoury mince pork, May May chili sauce and a ton of spring onions, this bowl of warm somen reminded me vaguely of a Chinese zha jiang mian. The mild heat of the chili sauce went really well with the pork and noodles, and I loved the crunch from the fresh spring onions. I would gladly order this again in a heartbeat, except it's really too hard to be decisive at a place like this where everything tastes so good.
Red Chili Chicken - $16
My favourite bowl of the day consisted of pickled onions, toasted cashews, grilled mushrooms, oven roasted tomatoes, and a soft-centred egg topped with a fiery mound of crispy fried chicken and a spicy paste. The blazing heat from the dried chilies used came as an unexpected (but welcomed) surprise, and I found myself shoving spoon after spoon of gravy coated rice into my mouth.
The fried chicken was fried excellently - crispy skins, juicy insides. The grilled mushrooms were also particularly memorable for their charred umami flavour. All in all, this is a bowl of textural perfection that tasted like heaven.
Butter Poached Cod - $18
This poached butter cod is more gentle on your tastebuds, but still as gratifying. Especially if you're into the whole clean eating thing. It's one of the most popular bowls at May May, probably because no one else has done a cod bowl before.
Tender cod sits atop of bed of wakame, oven roasted tomatoes, grilled mushrooms, pickled lotus roots, and wasabi sprouts. It definitely lacked the same kick as the Red Chili Chicken, but it compensates in terms of balance and restrain.
Other than these two bowls, we also ordered a grilled miso aubergine bowl ($14), but sadly, I was told that was rather lacklustre. I'm personally disappointed cos I do love a good aubergine, but oh well, I'll probably still try it one day for myself.
For desserts we ordered both the famed liu sha donut as well as this pina colada version. I thought the liu sha version would be overrated and underwhelming, but I was wrong. Sure, the custard could afford to be a little saltier, but it was still decent and the filling was generous.
Pina Colada Donut - $7
I was also expecting the pina colada donuts to be a complete flop but boy do I have to eat my words or what. I like the delicate pineapple flavoured coconut cream. It was light and refreshing and not too cloying. I don't even like pineapple or coconut so that was quite unexpected.
The only thing I'd change about these donuts is that thick coating of granulated sugar. I'd prefer my donuts to be lightly dusted with icing powder so it's not as sweet. I scrapped off all the sugar hahahahaha
This is one place I'd love to return to in the near future. Not just to have my favourite red chili chicken bowl again, but also to try their beef rendang/braised pork belly bowl.
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