ETSY Explores: Jalan Riang

This little street nestled in the midst of a sleepy Serangoon enclave is a wonderful addition to a growing number of hippie neighbourhood haunts. Despite its relative inaccessibility and hosting only 5 restaurants, it is evident that Jalan Riang is no longer a secret as it attracts a healthy number of patrons even on a regular weekend night.

We made several trips to check out what the different restaurants offer, so here’s a little guide to our new favourite haunt!

Rokeby
Open daily from 9am – 10pm, except on Mondays

This Aussie bistro is the perfect place to unwind after a long day at work, and transitions perfectly from day cafe to night bistro/bar with its 1-1 Happy Hour Beer/Wine Promotion (Moscato included!!) from 5 to 7 pm.  We really enjoyed the rich flavours of the sweet & spicy tomato herb sauce on the Chilli Mussels, and were also suitably impressed by the golden crust of the Dory Fillet that was baked to perfection. The large, juicy and fresh prawns in the Shrimp Risotto  were definitely a hit. A little miss was the truffle fries which we found crispy but lacking in the rich truffle flavour. Nevertheless,  the staff are friendly and enthusiastic, and it would make a great option for any meal of the day.

Siam Society
Open daily for lunch and dinner

Don’t let Siam’s Society modern and industrial chic decor deceive you – the food here boasts of Thai authenticity that will transport you straight to the land of smiles. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality and portions of the dishes. For starters, the Seafood Glass Noodle Salad was an explosion of flavours, with its mix of fragrant minced meat, sweet cherry tomatoes, crunchy little shrimp, raw onions and numbing chilli paid. The mains were also impressive. In particular, the tender Paneang Chicken soaked in sweet yellow curry was absolutely delicious and would convince even the most carb-resistant person to heap on the rice. We also couldn’t resist ordering the Pad Thai and did not regret our decision as it had just the right amount of sweetness and generous servings of tofu, egg and shrimp. Siam Society might look like the token Asian kid on the block but it definitely holds it weight well. 

La Pizzaiola
Open daily for lunch & dinner except on Tuesday

We strolled in on a Friday evening at 6pm and were told that the next table would only be available 3 hours later. But La Pizzaiola’s popularity is not hard to understand – they pride themselves on using the freshest ingredients, and this was evident in every dish we ate that night. The Burratina con Prosciutto Crudo made an excellent appetiser as the burrata cheese was bursting with fresh creaminess and well-complemented by the parma ham and tomatoes. We have a weakness for homemade pasta and were spoilt for choices upon realising that all their pasta dishes are served with fresh pasta! We tried the Seafood Spaghetti, Crabmeat Tagliatelle and Angel Hair with Bacon, Mushrooms and Tomatoes and they were all above average, but the Spaghetti di Frutti di Mare was definitely the winner of the three. Another must-try is the La Pizzaiola Speciale which won us over with its tender roast beef drizzled with truffle oil and rocket on a crispy crust. For desserts though, you might want to head over to Wimbly Lu as their options are really quite limited.

Wimbly Lu
Closed on Monday; Open all other weekdays from 1230 till late
Open from 9am to 1030pm on weekends

Oh, Wimbly Lu. Even the ring of its name conjures images of quirky little treats. It’s already been making waves in the dessert scene, and its Lemon Meringue Pie and waffles certainly didn’t disappoint. We paired our waffles with honey cinnamon ice-cream and maple syrup and it was well worth the calories.  We also tried the molten lava cake, which was undoubtedly delicious but could have definitely done with more sponge. That being said, its interior decor is reason enough for you to while an afternoon or evening away. With a glass roof and twinkling fairy lights, its whimsical touch makes for the perfect date venue and might even make you forget that you’re in Singapore.

Cajun Kings
Closed on Mondays; Open from evenings till 10/11pm on other days

Let us put it on the record that Cajun Kings is a great restaurant that offers delicious seafood and a unique experience, albeit being a tad too pricey. Drawing inspiration from Louisiana Cajun cuisine, no utensils are used here to allow for a truly finger-licking time. We started our meal with the excellent Crayfish Tatter Tots – crunchy hash brown bites topped with generous servings of warm cheese, crayfish, onions, red pepper and tomatoes.  Highly recommended! The Prawn and Clams in Garlic Butter Combo was also quite delicious, especially with the juicy prawns and corn cob drenched in the garlic butter. While the Lobster Roll was fresh and sweet, it could have done with a bit more sauce. The Dungeness Crab, however, was a tad disappointing especially if you’re the kind that has been spoilt by the thick, juicy crabmeat that Sri Lankan crabs offer. All in all, dining here can be a novelty if you’re willing to pay for it. Expect to spend about $50 a person.

Our ultimate verdict: you really can’t go wrong with any of these restaurants. It’s rare to find a little street that packs so much punch with only 5 restaurants but so far Jalan Riang hasn’t disappointed.