Definitely, one of my dining affairs that will always reminds me of the golden time spent with family would be indulging in hotplate dishes.
Those particular moments where my family would sit around & wait for our food to be smokily served to the table, consisting of a very familiar aromatic char fragrance that immediately tingles our salivary tastebuds.
I just can’t stressed enough by how much I really desire for all the possibilities in our everyday dishes if they are served via this culinary method. When mentioning such dishes, you can be certain that the first thing that comes to my mind is none other than a hotplate of fiery sambal stingray! Having looked at the east region, I am very pleased with my latest finding – Chan BBQ – which is truly a remarkable charm.
Singapore Chan BBQ review
Being reputably known for its signature BBQ grill dishes, Chan BBQ is no stranger among the list of recommended stalls to feast in at Bedok 85 (aka 85 Fengshan Centre).
Just ask around any of the folks who live at Bedok on what to eat & you will not be surprised to associate the vicinity of Bedok with this heavenly dish, at least for myself.
It has been around since 1988 (to be precise) where it first started out at Kallang Bahru, before moving to Ang Mo Kio Ave 8, and then to the current food centre at Bedok 85. Besides offering my favourite Stringray BBQ, their menu also includes Sotong, Prawn, and Cockles BBQ respectively. We saw their ice rack displaying other seafood such as crayfish, fish, and clams which we believe are the new addition of dishes to their signboard’s menu.
Voted as the crowd’s favourite, the omelette oyster & the stinging stingray are the popular dishes at Chan BBQ.
However on that day, we have overlooked at their menu solely from its signboard & hence we have just settled down for the smallest portion of Stringray BBQ.
The stingray is grilled in margarine, covered with sambal chili & laid on top of a banana leaf to further add on to its overwhelming fragrance.
Their main differentiating factor among the rest would lies in the sambal chili where it comprises of 20 secret ingredients that are all grounded together. Upon taking a bite, I am so deeply impressed by its sambal chili which is the first thing that immediately stood out! It is so heavenly fragrant that you can totally feel the richness from its spices. Indeed, you can expect it to packs a punch & it isn’t at all salty. The soft tender meat of the stingray has also been nicely infused with flavour where you can taste the aromatic char fragrance that is paired with the ecstatic taste of the sambal chili.
In conclusion, this is undeniably one of the recommendations that instantly made me fall head over heels.
I have definitely tried a number of sambal stingrays but none actually stood out as impactful as this plate of goodness!
Given in general that stingray is a fish that just tastes ordinary on its own & the main essence of this dish would be none other than the sambal chili.
If you really have a high tolerance level for spicy stuff, then you will totally appreciate the beauty of this dish. I can’t help but to emphasise that anything would go completely well with that sambal chili. Unlike some stalls, I have also appreciate their transparency for listing down the actual pricing instead of stating a price range which may be a price shock upon ordering! Needless to say, I will be back here again & I look forward to trying their omelette oyster, given my failed notice that day.
About Chan BBQ
Address: Blk 85 Bedok North Street 4 #01-24, 460085
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 17:00 – 01:00
Tel: –
Average Price:
- SGD $10.00 / $12.00 / $15.00 – Stingray BBQ
- SGD $10.00 / $12.00 / $15.00 – Sotong BBQ
- SGD $12.00 / $15.00 / $18.00 – Prawn BBQ
An Outline for a Perfect Stingray Meal
To give you a play-by-play outline of my perfect Chan BBQ meal, here are the key details:
- Arrived at the restaurant around noon, just before the lunch rush
- Ordered a large sambal stingray fillet
- Requested extra chili and lime juice to be added
- Opted for bee hoon noodles instead of rice
- Grabbed a cold Tiger beer to wash it all down
- Dove right in, mixing up the stingray, noodles, sambal sauce
- Alternated between fish, noodles, greens, and sauce in each bite
- Went back for a second helping since it was so addictive!
- Left with a full belly and huge smile on my face
The Must-Try Side Dishes
A stellar main of sambal stingray needs some tasty sides to round out the meal. Here are some must-try accompaniments:
Otah-Otah
These grilled fish cakes are a quintessential Singaporean snack. Chan BBQ makes them fresh in-house and they are full of flavor. They are made of fish paste blended with spices and then grilled on skewers. Sweet, smokey, savory – the perfect complement to the stingray.
Veggie Options
Chan BBQ actually has a nice selection of vegetable sides. I loved the kang kong – water spinach stir-fried with garlic and chili. And the cucumber salad with peanuts provided a nice fresh crunch. Great options for balancing out the rich main dish.
Chili Crab
This classic Singaporean dish features crab cooked in a sweet and spicy tomato-based sauce. It’s another great way to soak up even more of that finger-licking sambal!
An Unforgettable Local Experience
Dining at Chan BBQ was one of my favorite food experiences in Singapore. The food was out-of-this-world delicious. The atmosphere was casual and lively. And I got to enjoy an iconic local specialty, sambal stingray, done to perfection.
Next time you’re in Singapore, do yourself a favor and head to Chan BBQ in Bedok for stingray heaven. Customize your order just how you like it for a meal you’ll never forget!