Any extended period of time away from Singapore and I start to crave from some comfort food from home.
Founded in 1999 but true-blue Singaporeans, Shiok Singapore Kitchen emerged as a modest 16-seat hole-in-the-wall eatery nestled on the peaceful stretch of Laurel Street in San Carlos. This inaugural establishment coincided with the zenith of the Silicon Valley boom, providing a unique culinary oasis for locals. After a mere six months, space constraints prompted a move to Menlo Park, heralding a significant expansion of the menu and dining space.
Our Singaporean Dinner
Hainanese chicken rice
Nothing shouts out more about Singapore food than Hainanese chicken rice. The holy trinity of chicken rice – the poached chicken, the pandan-flavoured rice and the chilli sauce – are all necessary to get it right.
Ngoh Heong (Five-Spice Roll)
I have to admit I was very impressed by their Ngoh Heong. Many other places did not use jicama. I knew they nailed it with the first bite, when the sweetness of the jicama came through for a flavour that I took for granted in Singapore. If they get the condiments right – ABC sweet sauce was OK, but if they can get the Buddha brand sweet sauce, and what’s that Thai chilli sauce? That’s a big no-no.
Belachan Kang Kong
The simplest of all stir-fry but it was so difficult to get elsewhere other than in Southeast Asia because kang kong is considered an invasive plant. I was surprised to find it here in San Jose. I guessed someone has gotten the permission to grow this because the vegetable does not travel well. The wokhei and the spicy belachan chilli and dried shrimps all hit the spot.
Fried Carrot Cake (White)
Darling missed this dish so much from her days in Singapore, even though the carrot cake (actually it’s radish cake) was bit mushy, the overall taste was spot-on.
We had to say we were so surprised to find this restaurant. Now she knows where to go whenever she has the craving for Singapore fare.
Shiok! Singapore Kitchen
1137 Chestnut Street, Menlo Park, CA 94025
Tel : +1 (650) 838-9448
Visited Aug 2024
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