On a whim, we headed downtown for dinner on Sunday night. We were thinking of Stepho’s but dude, have you seen the line up outside that lovely restaurant?

Driving along Davie Street, Eli spotted this “Singaporean Cuisine” place and asked if I would like to give it a try. Sure, why not!

I’ve been to many places that claim to be of a certain cuisine but more often than not, are not. What more with Singaporean food?

Born and bred in Singapore, I know Singapore food. I’ve grown big and strong on home-cooked Singapore food. I cook Singapore food.

And naturally, I get defensive when it comes to Singapore food. Particularly FALSE CLAIMS that serve nothing more than an insult to Singapore.

Kam’s Place Singaporean Cuisine is the place NOT TO GO to.

There was no wait but every table in the house was occupied. Mostly by non-Asians who do not know better. This place is considered “cheap food” to many locals. I, beg to defer.

Food
We ordered chicken satay which comes with “Singaporean peanut sauce”, garlic prawns, black bean chicken, long beans and steamed rice.

• Chicken satay: SATAY LIKE I’VE NEVER HAD BEFORE. Basically a skewer of very salted chicken, tastes NOTHING like the satay it claims to be. Satay should be tasty (not salty) and barbecued over open fire. There was a chance this chicken was pan-fried or boiled! “Singaporean peanut sauce” was nothing more than salty brown murky liquid. There was not a trace of peanut in there. Real satay sauce is made of real peanuts, grinded and mixed into a thick consistency. You taste nothing but peanut. But not with this.
• Garlic prawns: Stir-fry of cucumbers, corn and green/red peppers with a handful of prawns. No, you don’t taste the garlic at all. Also, too salty.
• Black bean chicken: Thin miserly serving of chicken slices stir-fried in medley of cucumbers and green/red peppers, and some black beans. What you taste is really… Salt.
• Long beans: The best dish of the night! It was the only dish that was exactly what I ordered, only way too salty.
• Steamed rice: Bravo, they did Singapore proud by cooking Thai rice really well!

 
Service
Severely lacking, genuine Singapore-style?

The waitress who took our order appears to be the lead waitress. She was impatient, rude and unhelpful. Perhaps she heard me complaining about how the menu doesn’t actually reflect “Singaporean Cuisine” although there was a smattering of “Singapore” thrown in to the food names. She also refused to let other service staff attend to us. When we placed an additional order, she immediately grabbed the other waitress and demanded to know what our request was.

She was however, really nice to this white gay couple sitting two tables away. They appear to be regulars who are happy to dine there because they often cut out coupons for one-on-one deals at that restaurant.

She was also nice to Eli when it was time for the bill.

Racist, much?

 
Conclusion

• There is nothing “Singaporean” about the cuisine at this restaurant at all.
• Food was not as described in menu. You basically get a whole medley of cooked cucumbers to make up the volume in the bowl with very little of the actual meat you ordered.
• Food was way too salty. I cannot imagine feeding my children or parents with such food.
• Service was horrible. Discriminatory, impatient, unhelpful and rude.
• Food was overpriced. Not worth the money at all.

 
I have ZERO tolerance for food places with false claims.

No, I will not recommend this restaurant to anyone, whether local, visiting, South Asian or European. By using the name of Singapore in the name of their restaurant, they are insulting the nation known for its delectable hawker fare (which by the way, cost only a tenth of the price here).

My rationale for that move to name it “Singaporean Cuisine” is: There are many Thai restaurants in town, lots of competition. There are many Filipinos in Vancouver, can’t fool them. There weren’t many Singaporeans in Vancouver and is the most reputable South Asian country, so why not?

p.s. Singapore service standards have improved significantly. Please do not let places like these ruin your impression of Singapore, it’s people and it’s glorious food!