For somewhere with a name like Huevos (meaning ‘egg’, but also ‘balls’) and a logo featuring the masked face of a Mexican professional wrestler (known as lucha libre), this Mexican joint in Kampong Gelam is pleasantly non-threatening. It’s downright welcoming – take the new and vibrant dragon-themed mural splashed across one wall on the second floor and the colourful streamers festooning the ceiling, calling to mind papel picado, a Mexican folk craft. Simple wooden tables are pushed up against the walls with little flair or fanfare – but the effect is laidback rather than careless.
Huevos started as an online business in 2019 but moved into a physical space in 2021 following skyrocketing demand during the pandemic. Rock up to the space on any given evening and you're guaranteed to find a snaking queue of young and hungry customers. Headed up by chef co-founders Aaron Poh, Aloysius Chan and Nathaniel Moi, this Mexican place has gained a loyal following for unpretentious, tasty fare served in generous portions.
The menu at Huevos is substantial, with a diverse selection of antojitos (street food), starters, sides, mains, desserts and drinks. There are a handful of must-tries, especially if it's your first time. Look around and you'll spot the Loaded Nachos ($20) at every table, which comes with chicken chunks, chipotle aioli, and aged Mexican cheese alongside the usual suspects of guacamole and pico de gallo, pickled jalapeno, and onions.
The Baja Fish Tacos (from $14) are another signature, which comes with delightfully spiced and breaded fish cut through with a refreshing mango salsa. Our unanimous favourite though, was the Birria Beef Tacos (from $15). The beef short rib and brisket are wonderfully tender and juicy – there's a beef consomme on the side for you to dip your tacos into to push the flavour meter to 100. You can enjoy the same beef birria in a quesadilla, though we hear that the Trinity Mushroom quesadilla is the standout (and vegetarian-friendly too).
The dessert menu is concise – only churros ($9.90 for four pieces) are available with a choice of dark chocolate ganache or dulce de leche dips. The drinks selection is more expansive, featuring hot and cold drinks and surprisingly good cocktails. Give the Michelada ($19) a try if you're feeling adventurous. It's a curious mix of beer, agave honey, Clamato, Worcestershire, hot sauce, lime, and tamarind.
Huevos is open from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 11am to 3pm and 5pm to 10pm. Dining is restricted to one hour and we advise arriving early to avoid the queue. To find out more about Huevos, visit huevossg.com.