Get comfort and contentment from new old dishes at Folklore
I am a huge fan of Folklore's unabashed sentimentality.
The food harkens back to an era when cooks took painstaking measures to prep, and while the presentation or the dish may be simple, the amount of work that goes into it is crazy.
Head chef Damian D'Silva's gift is a treasure box of old recipes which he digs into to share with diners.
His instinct of what dishes will evoke emotions is almost always spot on.
He dug into that box again to refresh Folklore's menu.
The latest update contains heritage Eurasian, Peranakan and Malay dishes - some forgotten, some common - that might make you sigh in contentment.
For me, the best ones here are those you don't usually give a second thought to.
One example is the Prawn Sambal with Petai ($26).
This is simple (yet not) and familiar, and you'll find it in many places. But when you taste it, the experience is elevated.
Obviously the sambal is the key to the success of this dish. It's flavour-packed, teasing both the taste buds and the nose.
The Indonesian dish of Opor Ayam ($24) is on the menu too.
I think cumin is one of the most seductive and soulful spices there is, and it takes centrestage here. There is more than a hint on the dish, balanced with coconut milk.
If there is one dish you must order, it is the Sayur Lodeh ($16). This is a vegetarian option with young jackfruit, bean curd and tempeh. As and when sukun (breadfruit) is available, that's used too.
The meaty jackfruit and tempeh add texture and volume to this dish, while the gravy is creamy and just the right amount of heartiness.
Also new on the menu is the Ambiler Kacang with Belly Pork ($16), a tangy Eurasian dish with belly pork and long beans. Eat it with rice, because the tamarind whets the appetite.
However, the rare dish from Folklore that I couldn't get into is the Sotong Masak Sambal Belado (market price, so please check before you order).
It is gorgeous - red and glistening - but the sauce is as spicy as you would imagine. I thought I burnt my tongue at first taste.
If you like it overwhelmingly fiery, this is for you. I'm going to save my throat for the many other great dishes on the menu.
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