We start the year 2021 on a positive note with the opening of Korean lifestyle and brunch café – The Chir Café & Bar in the heart of Holland Village at Lor Mambong.
Korean food lovers will be familiar with Korean fried chicken brand Chir Chir (pronounced “chi-ruh chi-ruh”) – the famous fried chicken chain originating from Seoul, South Korea.
And yes, this is its first café concept in the world.
Soon to open is also MAGO, a Korean boutique salon upstairs that integrates with the cafe, serving snacks and drinks.
Expect brunch items designed by a team of Korean chefs available from 9:30am (till 4pm), all-day pasta, and a night menu of hearty Korean fare – think Chir Fried Chicken, Spicy Seafood Tteokbokki, Bacon Kimchi Dubu, to even Coke Ribs with Fries.
If desserts are your thing, expect Belgium Chocolate Waffles, and cakes of Sea Salt Chocolate Truffle and Tiramisu. Here’s more:
Bulgogi Tartine ($22.00)
The Korean-inspired brunch items are available from 9:30am to 4pm, and includes the likes of Royale Benedict ($22.00), Rosti Platter ($19.00) and Chir Big Breakfast ($24.00).
The recommended is the Bulgogi Tartine, an open-faced sandwich with a thick slice of brioche for its base, slathered with a creamy spinach mascarpone spread.
Fresh crunchy rocket leaves are laden over it, then topped with juicy bulgogi beef and herbed mushrooms.
Smoked paprika adds a subtle smokiness and hearty meatiness to this French-inspired tartine.
Chir Chicken Waffles ($17.50)
An all-in-one meal featuring a crispy fried chicken thigh accompanied with a couple of soft and fluffy waffles, or technically “Croffle”.
A “Croffle” is a food hybrid that combines croissants and waffles – looks like waffles, but with layered, flaky inside like croissant.
Go ahead, drizzle some maple butter sauce on the warm toasty Croffle and make it a memorable brunch. Served with a side salad of fresh greens, whipped butter and maple syrup.
As Chir Chir are fried chicken specialists, the slab of meat stayed crisp for quite a while.
Fondue Chicken Burger ($15.50)
A cross between the Swiss-inspired melted cheese dish and the American burger. But instead of a beef burger patty, you get a crisp-fried chicken thigh fillet, sliced pineapple, onion marmalade, and fresh rocket leaves.
Gooey melted cheese is slathered over the burger for a delicious dripping of cheesy flavour.
Accompanied with hot and crunchy French fries and dip. This is quite an indulgent dish, and I would recommend two to share.
Bulgogi Cream Pasta ($16.00)
Pasta dishes available all day include Three Mushroom Truffle Pasta ($18.50), Seafood Arrabiata ($18.00), Tiger Prawn Aglio Olio ($16.50), and Soy Cabonara ($16.50).
Irresistible to meat lovers who love a good cream-based pasta, the Bulgogi Cream Pasta is oozing with umami with its grilled marinated beef, a trio of mushrooms – shiitake, button & Portobello, and Grana Padano cheese.
Made with al dente linguine, the pasta is tossed into rich white wine cream sauce. Served with a topping of poached egg for you to break apart for a silkier texture.
Mentaiko Rose Pasta ($11.00)
Visually stimulating with its bright orange colours, this Japanese-style pollock roe pasta teases the palate as well with its rich tomato cream sauce.
Juicy cherry tomatoes are added along with a topping of ebiko, nori strips, and a sprinkling of grated Gran Padano cheese.
Laksta ($14.00)
A unique entrée which transforms the local-favourite of spicy noodle soup laksa into a no-soup pasta.
Made with spaghetti pasta, this dish comes with fried tofu cubes, plump Tiger prawns, and juicy shrimps all tossed together in a rich and fragrant laksa cream sauce.
Osam Bulgogi ($13.50)
Like the Western surf-n-turf, this Korean stir fry is a combo of seafood and meat.
Come 4pm ‘til late, order the spicy osam bulgogi a mix of ojingeo or squid and samgyeopsal or pork belly.
These marinated meats are cooked over a grill in a spicy chili sauce, and served with fresh veggies.
The savoury and chewy squid goes well with the juicy pork, perfect as bar chow or paired with rice.
Rosti with Bulgogi ($15.00), Rosti with Pork Sausage ($15.00)
The Swiss breakfast dish of Rosti is given a Korean twist. The dish of shredded Russet potatoes was pan-fried till crisp and golden, added with sour cream and garlic.
What make this special are the slices of Bulgogi Beef with onions – juicy, sweet, slightly salty and loaded with Korean flavour.
If not, pair this with the more conventional but juicy pork sausages.
Chir Fried Chicken ($17.00 for half, $28.50 for whole).
Korean Fried Chicken with soy garlic or yangnyeom sauce. These crunchy chicken pieces, are slathered with a sticky spicy yangnyeom chilli sauce with a hint of sweetness, then topped with nutty almond flakes.
Specialty Coffee By Hook Coffee
The Chir Café & Bar has worked together with Hook Coffee – known for its 100% specialty grade Arabica sustainably grown and ethically produced.
Other than the conventional Americano, Latte, Cappuccino and Macho, you can go for the more fun creations of Speculoos Latte ($6 for hot, $6.50 for iced), Iced Jolly Pong Coffee ($6) and Iced Coconut Americano ($6).
The Chir Cafe & Bar
Holland Village, 26A Lor Mambong, Singapore 277685
Opening Hours: 9:30am – 10:30pm (Mon – Sun)
Brunch menu: 9.30am – 4pm; Dinner menu: 4pm – 10.30pm
https://www.facebook.com/TheChirSG/
* This entry is brought to you in partnership with The Chir Cafe & Bar.