Taste Fusion Hainanese Chicken Chop (Maxwell Food Centre)

Taste Fusion Hainanese Chicken Chop 好滋味海南鸡扒 is one of the more recent additions to Maxwell Food Centre — we had given these folks a go some time back when they had first opened their doors, though we did notice that they had recently just revamped their menu since the very first time that we had dropped by. Located right in between 1980 Hokkien Prawn Noodle • Laksa and Old Beauty World Hong Wen Mutton Soup, the stall also now features a different signboard that now illustrates some of their offerings in the background; they have also included a larger menu board at the stall in place of the TV screens which they had previously installed — the new menu board coming with larger photos of what they have to offer as well. These folks do mention on the signboard that their offerings are based on an “Ipoh Traditional Recipe” as stated in the signboard. The items offered on their menu had also seen a bit of a revamp; whilst focusing on their chicken chop and pork chop offerings previously which are served with rice, the menu at Taste Fusion Hainanese Chicken Chop had further expanded with more Hainanese-Western style offerings — think their various pork chop and chicken chop dishes coming with fries rather than rice. There is also a variety of other items such as Fish & Chips, Salmon Steak, breakfast dishes as well as a small variety of spaghetti dishes available too.

During this revisit, we had decided to go for the Hainanese Pork Chop Set. The menu at Taste Fusion Hainanese Chicken Chop does not describe on the elements that come with their dishes; that being said, it can be observed from our order that the Hainanese Pork Chop Set comes with elements such as the pork chop that has been drenched in that red sauce that one would typically associate Hainanese-style western fare to come with, as well as sides such as coleslaw, baked beans, fried mantou and fries. Coming with the same exact batter that comes with their Hainanese Chicken Chop, we must mention that we felt that their Hainanese Pork Chop impressed us a little more as compared to the Hainanese Chicken Chop that we have had previously. The batter is light and crisp here — the loose batter coming on some of the ends is almost akin to the texture of the undersides of a sunny side-up. The pork is tenderised for a good texture; very easy to chew and slice through with no porky stench that could be detected. The sauce itself is the mix of Worcestershire sauce and tomato sauce combined; though a little bit on the lighter side for our preferences, we did enjoy the light tanginess and savoury finish that it carried — there is also that slight sweetness from the caramalised onions that one can find in here. It also does come with the nibs of carrots and corn that one would usually be able to find for such Hainanese-Western fare.

The fries oddly reminds us of the sort that Shake Shack serves up; we would prefer it to be seasoned with a little bit more salt for better flavour, though we did enjoy how the fries weren’t too greasy. The addition of fried mantou is probably their twist to the usual fried lunch buns that comes with Hainanese-Western fare; considering the size of the pork chops served, the fried mantou proved to be less intimidating to have compared to a regular lunch bun — the fried mantou also carrying a hint of sweetness at the same time that they are known to carry. The coleslaw comes all consistently creamy with crunchy vegetables that refreshes the tastebuds; served chilled while the baked beans are something pretty standard — nothing much to shout about. Whilst we wished the flavours of most elements such as the sauce and the fries to come a little stronger, we must give credit to Taste Fusion Hainanese Chicken Chop for how they execute the Pork Chop — definitely one which we would most certainly develop a craving for; this is not forgetting how it feels easy to have as compared to those that feature a batter of panko crumbs that can get a little jelak after a while. Prices of the dishes served up at Taste Fusion Hainanese Chicken Chop are generally kept below $10 with the exception of the dishes featuring salmon, beef and lamb; the NZ Ribeye Steak Set being the priciest at $15.80. A stall worth considering a visit if craving for some true-blue Hainanese-Western fare whilst around Maxwell Fold Centre!