Ho-Jiak – Inexpensive Rice Bowls on Anson Road (Below $11)

What an interesting name, Ho-Jiak. Somehow, I pictured a hipster cafe serving nothing but traditional Singaporean food. In the end, hipster cafe yupp, but we got Japanese rice bowls instead! Ho-Jiak, which also means delicious in Hokkien, is tucked away on the second storey of Fuji Xerox Tower.

The menu is super simple – pick your proteins and you’re done! Oven-baked Chicken Leg ($7.90) or Pork Shoulder Shabu ($8.90) or Beef Shabu ($10.90) – what’s your choice?

The chicken leg was unfortunately too popular a chick that it was totally sold out for lunch. The beef and pork were both very lean, yet it was still satisfactorily tender. However, they were lacking in some seasoning, in my opinion. I could stir it in the curry, but it wasn’t sufficient to even fully coat the rice. I don’t know about you but I love my rice absolutely bathed in curry, but this wasn’t the case, sadly.

The Chicken Kaarage ($4.50) is another plain chick, out there in search for a sauce partner which never seems to appear. While the chicken chunks were crispy, moist and tender, it tasted like those from a packet sold in supermarkets. Now, can someone please grant that poor chicken her wish for a husband?

The verdict? Average it is. But it’s definitely a convenient place to grab a quick lunch or chill out over some beers in the Tanjong Pagar area. In the meantime, preparations for a bar is ongoing and that could be a good reason to head back. Food wise, I am hoping that this cafe of almost 2 months will truly grow to deliver what their shop name promises to deliver. 

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visit and paid its own meal at the cafe featured here.

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