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Zichar dishes are meant for sharing. It's best enjoyed in a communal setting with friends and family gathering around the table, picking at plates as they please. But with dining groups capped to a maximum of five and safe distancing measures in place, having a meal at a zichar joint just doesn’t feel quite the same.
In an earlier interview on the future of dining out, Pang Seng Meng, the co-founder of New Ubin, said that “Phase 2 will be challenging for us as we are a communal dining operation”.
Embracing the challenges of the new normal, the homegrown seafood restaurant has recently launched its new delivery concept – UbinEats – designed specifically for the solo diner. The ordering platform, created in the form of a virtual coffee shop, features five different ‘stalls’ dedicated to dishes from various ethnicities.
Fans of the brand should already be familiar with Ubin Nasi Lemak ($15). It first made its debut at the test kitchen in New Ubin Tampines, and took over a year of tinkering for Seng Meng to land on the current iteration: a winning combination of fragrant coconut rice, sambal cuttlefish, anchovies, omelette, and ayam bakar.
We also like the Ah Ma Chicken Curry Noodles ($12) – an upsized version of the hawker staple. Cabbage and beancurd puffs come stewed in a luscious gravy that's comfortably spiced, which makes slurping up your meal all too easy. There’s also the Ah Koon Scissor Cut Curry Rice ($15), which comes neatly packed with all the requisite side dishes: breaded fried chicken, braised pork and beancurd, and Hainanese curry brimming with vegetables stewed to the right softness.
Compared to your regular neighbourhood kopitiam, the prices at this virtual one are slightly steep. But portions are generous and each box, while meant for one, is probably hearty enough to make a light lunch for two. Other highlights from UbinEats include chicken masala ($12) from Vijay Banana Leaf, and a series of perennial zichar favourites ($10) – gong bao chicken, supreme pork chop, and vegetarian mock meat – from Ah Boon Signatures.
And if you’re looking for a drink to beat the heat from the spice-forward menu, throw in an order from Uncle Ho Boba Tea. Its version of vanilla ice cream milk tea (from $4.90) is creamy and smooth, while the lime plum green tea (from $3.90) is a refreshing number that’ll refresh the palate.
HOW TO ORDER Head over to ubineats.com to browse the menu from this digital coffeeshop. Pick-ups are available at New Ubin Tampines. There’s no minimum order and a delivery fee of $18 applies for orders below $40.