The Wilkie Edge area is home to some of the most authentic local eateries in Singapore, such as the famous Sing Ho Hainan Chicken Rice and Rochor Beancurd to name but just two. But there is more for the foodie in you if you care to explore the area further. If you walk down Short Street towards LASELLE College of the Arts, you would have noticed a rather prominent building with words plastered all over its facade. At the ground floor of this building (the Centurion Student Living Student Hostel) is local eatery Big Lazy Chop (大懶排).
The Centurion Student Living Student Hostel
With both alfresco and indoors dining, Big Lazy Chop serves up zi-char fare in a homely and modern setting at a very convenient location which was much easier to find that I expected. We opted to sit indoors as it looked like it was going to rain when we visited, but on a nice sunny day, I would have loved to dine at the al fresco area.
We started our dinner with The Crab Money Bag (S$18) and it could not have been a better way to kick off the meal. The skin of the Crab Money Bag is made entirely from egg whites, and we could smell the fragrance of egg whites the second the dish landed on our table. The “bag” was packed to the brim with crab meat. There were onions inside which were sliced so finely they added just the right amount of crunch to every mouth without being overwhelming. We were told that because of the effort that goes into making the skin from scratch, the Crab Money Bag is only in available in limited quantities every day.
Before I was even done gushing over the Crab Money Bag, the Butter Champagne Drunken XL Spare Ribs (S$23) and the Salted Egg Tempura Big Lazy Prawns came along.
Butter Champagne Drunken XL Spare Rib
The Butter Champagne ribs was tender and juicy, and while we both started with fork and knife, it wasn’t long before we succumbed to the finger-licking goodness of the dish. The XL was no misnomer – the rib was actually longer than the width of my palm.
Salted Egg Tempura Big Lazy Prawn.
As for the Salted Egg Tempura prawns (S$20), I could taste (and see) the slight tinge of chilli padi. It was a good combination, the salted egg yolk and the chilli padi.
The highlight of my meal came next – the signature Indo Curry Wok-Fried XL Crab.
Indo Curry Wok-Fried XL Crab.
The curry broth of the Indo Curry Wok-fried XL Crab (S$70 per kg) was thick and flavourful without being over the top. The crab meat was fresh and sweet, and the pan-fried mantous that we ordered to go with it were perfect in absorbing the delightful curry broth. For a spice wimp like me, there was nothing I could nit-pick about this curry crab. We were informed by the friendly chef that if you love your curry crab hot and spicy, you can actually request for more spiciness. Talk about good service.
Fried Chestnut Bars.
Our last dish was the Fried Chestnut Bars (S$8). The crunchy exterior of this dish reminded me of goreng pisangs (banana fritters), but I was pleasantly surprised by what was inside. This original creation by the chef includes water chestnut slices, chestnut powder. Personally, I would have liked it much more if it was served as a cold dessert though.
The next time you are in the area, don’t just think of beancurd. Hop over to Big Lazy Chop for some hearty, delicious fare too.
Big Lazy Chop
1A Short Street #01-04
Singapore 188210
(Off Selegie, Opposite Rochor Beancurd)
Tel: +65 6238 8443
Opening hours: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 10:30pm (Tues – Sun)
