Foodsnoop: A fantastic feast

Lifestyle writer Muhammad Syafiq checks out Hungry Heroes, Singapore’s first superhero-themed cafe, to see if it has more substance or gimmick.

HUNGRY HEROES
33 Tessensohn Road Singapore 217656

Tuesday to Friday: 4pm – 11pm Saturday to Sunday: 12pm – 11pm Open on Public Holidays

Superhero Factor: 3.5/5 Taste Factor: 3.5/5

PHOTO: NICHOLAS YEO

JUST a short 10-minute walk from Farrer Park MRT, Hungry Heroes immediately stood out from other cafes in the vicinity with its visually arresting signage.

Its brightly-lit white and brown signboard was the centre of attention along the dimly-lit street and inside, the cafe didn’t disappoint. Stepping into the two-storey shop- house transported me to a bygone era as the interior decor harks back to the swingers era of the 1930s.

The first floor felt like a classy watering hole with plush dark brown leather sofa seats juxtaposed with polished metal tables. The walls were lined with superhero figurines featuring the likes of Storm, Jean Grey and Wonder Woman encased in display cases, as if in a museum.

The second floor was a lot more eclectic, with unique ornaments such as a bright pink Buddha head and twin rhino head busts mounted on the wall.

Even among these oddities, two life-sized Superman and Batman statues stole the spotlight.

Apart from Marvel and DC characters, other heroes like Bruce Lee and Hitman were also prominently featured, making Hungry Heroes the ideal place to take snapshots of your favourite heroes.

SIRLOIN STEAK ($25)

PHOTO: NICHOLAS YEO

SERVED on a wooden board, the steak came with a side of mesclun salad — capsicum, romaine lettuce, rocket and spinach in a vinaigrette dressing — and fries.

I had a choice of coriander honey or brown sauce as my choice of dip and opted for the latter.

The medium rare steak was seared on the outside but still red and juicy in the middle.

The slightly tart and peppery brown sauce was the perfect partner to the tender steak but the same cannot be said for the sides, which were forgettable.

THE ROOST ($23)

PHOTO: NICHOLAS YEO

A SPECIALTY item on the Hungry Heroes menu, the fried chicken leg burger lived up to its billing.

Sweet, salty and tangy all at once, the burger was a delightful combination of flavours.

The soft and fluffy buns were grilled to perfection while the fried chicken was moist and crispy — a blissful marriage of textures.

The pineapple cilantro slaw and cajun mayo provided a nice balance to the savoury chicken.

The only reservation I had was the hefty $23 price tag, which almost equalled that of the steak.

HEROES FRIES ($10)

PHOTO: NICHOLAS YEO

THE thick-cut fries were swimming in chilli con carne — a hearty stew of chilli, tomatoes and minced beef.

The fries retained its crisp exterior despite being slathered with sauce, nacho cheese and mayonnaise. It looked like a mess but tasted sinfully addictive.

The mayonnaise, however, was a tad too sour and the chilli con carne could have done with a bit more heat.

Still, the generous portion, ideal for a group of four, justified the price tag and made Heroes Fries a dish worth ordering.