By now, most are familiar with Vietnamese fare. How about having Vietnamese cuisine with an Australian Twist. If you are into it, Fat Saigon Boy offers such combination. Their original outlet is at Telok Ayer. Now they have another one with a smaller menu at Icon Village and it is known as Fat Saigon Boy Express.
At the express outlet, the typical full-fledge restaurant service isn’t offered here. Instead, diners order at the counter while food is served. As such, it is extremely casual and the price of the dishes are wallet friendlier. All dishes are under $10!
At Fat Saigon Boy Express, they offer a condensed menu with only the most popular items. Hence expect much smaller menu but nevertheless are the highlights.
Beginning with Starters, a total of 5. We tried 3 of them. First is a very well-received item, Lemongrass Pork & Prawn ($5 – 2pcs). Look and feel and even taste is similar to the familiar Summer Roll. What I like is the lemongrass flavour. Though subtle, it augmented the flavour.
Next is the Viet Chicken & Prawn ($5 – 2pcs). Interestingly, it was wrapped with only the vermicelli and it has the seaweed. Personally, I didn’t enjoy it with the seaweed as I felt it masked the flavour of all the ingredients. On the contrary, those who love it felt it has enhanced the flavour. Looking at the mixed review, it is highly dependable on your preference.
Our last starter was the Spicy Pulled Pork Burrito ($5 – 1pc). In fact, this could be a Main on its own by having 2 or more. The wrap was soft, however I find it a little too doughy. But together with the sauce-riched pulled pork, the flour-rich wrap wasn’t much of a concern. Another mixed review dish. I didn’t enjoyed as much as my dinning partner did. Personally, I find the sauce has overshadowed the flavour of the pork. The contrary was truth too; my dining partner enjoyed the sauce.
At Fat Saigon Boy Express, diners will find the Pho, Dry Noodle Salad, Rice and Vietnamese Baguette for Mains. Each with about 4 selections.
A recommended selection was The Viet Chick ($9). Tender, well-marinated Roasted Chicken topped on the rice vermicelli together with Mint, Corriander, shallots, spring onion and nuts to flavoured-up the dish. I find it a little too bland, therefore I needed more fish sauce. After all, the flavour was a little flat with mainly savoury taste.
I would highly recommend the The Beef Eater ($9). The broth was flavourful with complex taste note in it. There were beef balls, Shin and Tenderloin. A worthy and outstanding Pho Soup Noodles. Since it uses a large bowl, the soup turn cold easily but it would allow the working executive to complete their lunch fast.
NAHMJ Verdict
I would return to Fat Saigon Boy Express for lunch if I am around the area. And would no doubt order The Beef Eater.
Fat Saigon Boy Express
FB: https://www.facebook.com/FatSaigonBoyExpress/
Opening Hours
Daily 1130 to 1500, 1730 to 2100
Getting There
By MRT:
- North-South Line -Tanjong Pagar station
By Bus:
- Either before Wallich Road or after Craig Road 80, 145
- International Plaza along Anson Road 57, 131, 167, 186, 400, 700, 761, 970, 971E
- Opp Temasek Tower along Shenton Way 10, 10e, 57, 97, 97e, 100, 131, 502, 971E, 982E
- Hub Synergy Point along Anson Road 10, 103, 70, 75, 97, 97e, 100, 106, 107, 128, 130, 133, 162, 196, 196e, 850E, 951E, 982E
Rating: 7/10
*Disclaimer: This was a media invite.