One of the most popular foods in the city is roasted meat, as evidenced by the numerous food stalls offering this dish. In many food centers, at least one stall specializes in roasted meat, making it more common than some other types of food. I dare say it’s a highly competitive business, and people tend to be very critical of it. If the recipe and execution of the roasting process are excellent, you have a shot at success. But if your roasted meat isn’t as good—or better—than most of the existing stalls, your business is bound to fail.
This dish has plenty of loyal patrons who enjoy it, and I recently had the chance to try a new restaurant that puts an upscale twist on the classic roasted pork dish. The place is called Yan Chuan Roasters, and it’s located near the Lavender MRT station.
Usually, this type of food is offered at a hawker center or a food court in a mall, but this place is different. They have their own restaurant, spacious enough to seat at least 30 diners. What intrigued me about this restaurant is that they serve only roasted meat—nothing else.
It must be their specialty, and they seem confident that it's enough to sustain their business. Because of that, I decided to give them a try last week.
Their menu is quite straightforward. You can order à la carte, choosing from roasted meats like pork belly, duck, char siew, or suckling pig. Alternatively, you can opt for a set menu, which includes a can of Coke.
I ordered the set menu, but instead of Coke, I chose to replace it with water.
I was tempted to try the Peking Duck or Char Siew, but the roasted pork belly caught my interest. When I saw another customer enjoying it and noticed the generous serving size, I was even more convinced to order it.
The pork was thickly cut, which is rare to find these days, making it even more appealing to try.
The meat itself was perfectly cooked—moist and not dry at all. However, the skin was a bit hit-or-miss. Some parts were super crunchy, while others were chewy and tough. But aside from that, everything was delicious!
Regardless of the skin’s texture, I ultimately enjoyed the meal, thanks to the sauces that came with it. I loved the combination of spicy chili sauce and sweet-savory fermented soybean sauce. The two balanced each other perfectly and paired well with the roasted meat—I really liked it!
After finishing my meal, I decided to treat myself to a nice dessert. There was a Mixue ice cream store nearby, so I got a cup of soft serve topped with brown sugar pearls.
Overall, my meal at Yan Chuan Roasters was satisfying, with its generously portioned roasted pork belly and flavorful sauces that enhanced the experience. While the texture of the skin was inconsistent, the perfectly cooked meat made up for it. Ending the meal with a refreshing soft serve from Mixue was the perfect way to wrap up a delicious and indulgent dining experience.
