Our Review On JUWei Old Nanyang Coffee Shop
We were in the vicinity of Clark Quay and we finally saw that the new Safra @ 29 Carpenter Street was finally opened!
We saw this JUWei Old Nanyang Coffee Shop with pictures of many Hong Kong Superstars and a few locals and we decided to gve them a try.
The place was half occupied with customers and we had no issue getting a Table for 2. We were told to scan the QR Code on the Table to view the Menu and to submit our orders.
Ambiance
One thing that was hard to miss was this Dragon Head and the change of lighting that gave the Dragon a different look. The decor also dated back to the late 1900s in Singapore with the use of black-white tiles, metal blades Fan, and those iconic Thermal Flask.
They also used these glossy green cushy chairs, sofas and tables to give off that no-frills, yet classic, aesthetic of the late 1900s vibe.
Menu
They have quite a wide selection with categories like:
- One-Tray Meal like Beef Rendang Tray ($14.80), Crispy Fried Chicken Whole Leg Tray ($12.80), Hainanese Chicken Rice Tray ($10.80)
- Wok-Fried like KL Hokkien Mee ($12.80), Seafood Wat Tan Hor ($12.80), Luncheon Meat Fried Rice ($10.80)
- Hainanese Chicken (Upper / Lower Quarter, Half or Whole starting at $12.80), Braised Pork Knuckle (Half / Whole starting at $13.80), Bak Kut Teh (Small – 3 Bone Ribs, Medium or Large starting at $8.80),
- Mama’s Pot like Penang Prawn Mee ($10.80), Chicken Curry Mee ($10.80), Roasted Pork Curry Mee ($11.80)
- Vegetarian like Black Vinegar Pork Trotter (Mock Meat, $12.80), Curry Mutton Rendang (Mock Meat, $12.80)
- Nanyang Bites like Crispy Beancurd Skin ($7.80), Luncheon Meat Fries ($7.80), Golden Prawn Cakes ($7.80)
- Dessert like Chendol ($5), Durian Chendol ($6.80), Milky Grass Jelly ($4)
- Toast & Bun (Kaya / Kaya Butter / Butter Sugar / Peanut Butter / Condensed Milk) at $3
- Drinks like Kopi Classics, Teh Classics, Nanyang Ice Signature, Fruits Juice, Soft Drinks and Bottled Beers
For all the items in their Menu, you can click on this link to view their Menu online.
What We Ordered
We went with their Hainanese Chicken Lower Quarter ($13.80), Crispy Fried Chicken Whole Leg Tray Set ($12.80), Hor Ka Sai ($4.50), Yuzu Fizz ($3.90).
Orders were made and submitted via their Online Menu. Payment could only be made at their counter.
The Taste
— Yuzu Fizz & Hor Ka Sai
The Yuzu Fizz came first and the Yuzu taste was quite thick. Overall it was shiok drinking this. The Hor Ka Sai came shortly after. This drink is a mix of Black Coffee, Milo and Evaporated Milk. This drink tasted thick and bitter.
— Hainanese Chicken Lower Quarter
The Hainanese Chicken Lower Quarter came next. The first impression of this dish was that the steamed chicken looked really yellowish / glossy white (in a good way). This dish was also served with a side of Achar. So our understanding of Lower Quarter is that it consisted of the Thigh and Drumstick whereas the Upper Quarter consisted of the Breast and Wing.
Their Achar was really sourish good and crunchy. We had wished that they had included a bit more of it.
We also liked the Chicken Meat which was tenderly soft and the skin was smooth.
There was a layer of bean sprouts at the bottom of the meat and they were soaked in a thin layer of sesame oil. Surprisingly the sesame oil did not overpower the taste of the chicken.
What was disappointing was the three sauces that came with the Hainanese Chicken Lower Quarter. Chili was not spicy. Dark Sauce was lacking that umami taste. Ginger paste was also lacking that stinging taste.
— Crispy Fried Chicken Whole Leg Tray Set
This Crispy Fried Chicken Whole Leg Tray Set took quite a while to be served and it was like we were almost done with the Hainanese Chicken and halfway through to the drinks.
This Crispy Fried Chicken Whole Leg Tray Set consisted of a small bowl of soup, chili paste, nonya-style cabbage, Achar, peanuts-ikan bilis, Keropok, Fried Chicken, Coconut Rice and a Sunny Side Up.
Keropok was nice and crunchy but a bit that there were only 3 pieces. Peanuts were that chunky type and salty when ate with the Ikan Bilis, Achar was the same as those that came with the Hainanese Chicken and sadly the portion was even lesser.
Both of us like Nonya-Style Cabbage but we found it hard to finish this. Firstly, the wok hei taste was very strong and the taste was too thick for us to swallow. We ended up not finishing this.
Soup was pleasantly nice and it tasted like that chicken bone boiled soup.
The Fried Chicken Leg was not 100% fantastic. Meat was a bit dry and tough. Fried Chicken Skin was fluffy with a slight crunch.
This sambal chili paste was just okay (not overly spicy) and it enhanced the taste of the chicken leg just that little bit.
Initially we thought we could not find any runny yolk from the Sunny Side Up, but we still could get it and it went well with the Coconut Rice.
The Coconut Rice tasted like the typical Nasi Lemak and lacked that punch.
Payment
Payment was made at the Cashier Counter. Prices listed above included GST and they do not charge any extra Service Charge. We also got an extra 5% off as a SAFRA Member.
How To Get To JUWei Old Nanyang Coffee Shop
Address: 29 Carpenter St, Level 1, Singapore 059923 (Google Maps)
Nearest MRT: Clark Quay MRT
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