Calling all the Easties! A new place to eat with your pals has opened, and what better way to bond than through good food? Kawan Kawan (which translates to friends in Malay) is a unique restaurant that brings people together to experience various cuisines from around the world, such as Thailand, Spain (coming soon) and more; certainly not your typical kind of food court!
Located in the heart of Tampines Mall, the restaurant is designed to be a vibrant and welcoming space that encourages diners to bond over conversations and delectable dishes for affordable prices that might be too good to be true.
Us members of the DANAMIC Team headed down to try out the various dishes, and although the Spanish stall has yet to be opened, we still found some other dishes you should definitely try!
Mains
When having Thai food, you can never go wrong with the classic Tom Yum Seafood Soup (S$15). Known for its bold and vibrant flavours, it is a delightful combination of sour, spicy, savoury, and aromatic elements; this dish is simply a must-have. This was one of my favourite dishes as I absolutely love spicy food! For those of you who cannot handle spice well, don’t worry, as it wasn’t too spicy.
Not only did the soup have the perfect amount of spice, it was also filled with juicy seafood such as prawns, clams, squid and more; the perfect dish for seafood lovers! The soup is simply best eaten with plain rice. Although the portion of this dish was enough to be shared, I practically devoured it all on my own because it was just that good!
The Fishball Chicken Minced Meat Noodle (S$6) is also a must-try! The toppings may look small but are actually generous in size once you begin the dig-in. The noodles were springy and had a pleasant chewiness, absorbing the essence of the sauce below.
I have tried many different kinds of fishballs, but this has to be one of the best fishballs I have ever tasted (seriously). It was soft, making it easy to bite into and did not taste too fishy. The sauce clung to the noodles and ingredients, which intensified the overall taste experience. Pro tip: Mix the ingredients well with the sauce before gobbling it down!
I had my doubts about the Curry Chicken Cutlet (S$5) because it didn’t look like much at first glance. But one bite into the dish made me understand why it was deemed as one of the store’s best sellers. The star of the dish — the curry, had a warm and slightly spicy taste that was comforting and invigorating.
The chicken cutlet was meaty and tender, contrasting with the crispy outer layer. The chicken tasted even better when mixed with the curry rice. And although I’m not a fan of vegetables, this dish was absolutely delicious.
Desserts
Regardless of how stuffed you feel after eating all the good food, you can never be too full for desserts. So prep your dessert stomachs, as you’re in for a treat!
Treat your tummies with the Nutella Thick Toast (S$3.50) —- simple but delicious. There simply wasn’t enough of it to be shared. The amount of Nutella spread was more than generous, as each piece of toast was thoroughly coated. Topped off with some crunchy peanuts and drizzled with condensed milk, made this dessert heavenly. This local-inspired dessert is perfect for all Nutella lovers out there!
When it comes to other desserts, you can never get enough of waffles, a classic option. So it’s understandable that the Belgian Waffles (S$5.50) we got was gone within seconds. Topped off with classic vanilla ice cream and drizzled with maple syrup, this delightful dessert combines the warmth and texture of warm waffles with the cold, creamy indulgence of ice cream.
The waffle had a warm, slightly crispy exterior and a soft interior. It wasn’t too sweet and had a subtle buttery flavour. Its warm flavour added contrast to the cold and creamy ice cream. Piece of advice: quickly get cutting while the waffle is still hot!
Beverages
Like a typical Gen Z, I love matcha with all my heart. Therefore, I had high expectations for the Hot Matcha Marshmallow (S$5). Instead of meeting my expectations, this beverage exceeded with flying colours. Never have I ever thought that the addition of toasted marshmallows to hot matcha would be so good!
The toasted marshmallows had a crispy and caramelised exterior, making it slightly crunchy as opposed to its fluffy and gooey interior. As the marshmallows were inherently sweet, it intensified the savoury taste of the matcha. As a Matcha-lover, I can confidently say this beverage is worth trying!
If you’re not a fan of Matcha, don’t worry about missing out, as you can also try the other options from the Marshmallow series, such as the Hot Chocolate Marshmallow (S$3.80) or the Ipoh White Coffee Marshmallow (S$3.50).
There were also unique tea offerings available as well. I was rather hesitant to try out the Grape Yakult Black Tea (S$3.80) as I’m not the biggest fan of Black Tea. However, I was immediately proven wrong after just a sip of it! The grape Yakult added a sweet and tangy flavour to the bold and robust black tea. Give it a good stir before gulping it down! Honestly, I was tempted to get another, as one cup simply wasn’t enough for me.
Safe to say, Kawan Kawan is the place to go, as various cuisines can all be found in just one place! You no longer have to argue about whose cravings to satisfy as everyone can be satisfied all in one place.
Kawan Kawan
Location: 4 Tampines Central 5, Singapore 529510, Tampines Mall #B1-11
Opening Hours:
- Drink stall: 9am to 10pm
- Food stalls: 10am to 10pm
If you happen to be around Tampines, drop by Kawan Kawan for good food at affordable prices!
Photos by Leo Chia of the DANAMIC Team.
