I have never been so fascinated to settle down for a plate of delightful pasta meal, especially at a typical food centre, due to its rather high cost & mediocre quality for most!
This particular food stall by the name of “Pasta Manna” that sells only pasta delights, has certainly set the bar for Hawker food’s standard which changes my perception all over again!
Pasta Manna review
If given only two words to describe this particular stall, it certainly had to be affordable & quality.
I have never been so fascinated to settle down for a plate of delightful pasta meal, especially at a typical food centre, due to its rather high cost & mediocre quality for most!
This particular food stall by the name of “Pasta Manna” that sells only pasta delights, has certainly set the bar for Hawker food’s standard which changes my perception all over again!
If given only two words to describe this particular stall, it certainly had to be affordable & quality.
The main particular reason for its success & outstanding quality which I felt, was the fact that every pasta dishes were thoroughly cooked under a large heat to create a much fragrant taste!
On top which, each dishes were prepared & cooked solely on its own, had helped to retained the freshness & quality aspects when it is ready to be served.
I certainly have to agree that it was such a joy looking at how the chef had prepared each dishes over the large scorching flame, by tossing the pan repeatedly to ensure that it is thoroughly cooked!
From that amount of heat & technique, it really reminded me so much of the high culinary standard that is more commonly found in restaurants!
One could certainly go for the non chilli version but for me, I felt that the addition of chilli does provide more punch in flavour to the overall dish.
The entire goodness was cooked in a hot olive oil pan, containing a mixture of garlic, chilli & seafood ingredients that are added with a uniquely special condiment of white wine!
This is perhaps the only hawker stall that has really invested on a bottle of white wine for its pasta that I could not help but to think of how scrumptious the end result of this dish would be!
My plate of “Aglio olio e peperoncino” came in a freshly hot serving that is right off the pan, had contained a very distinctive flavour of fragrant aroma from the olive oil, white wine & garlic in particular!
I have added some pepper along with Italian chilli flakes for even more enhanced spices.
You could definitely identify the generous portion of various seafood ingredients that came along with it, such as squid, shrimp, fish & some mushroom that are all mix together with the spaghetti itself.
The spaghetti was so fragrant with every bite, that you could totally taste the richness of different flavours especially from the parsley leaves, chilli, olive oil & garlic that were absorb by the noodles.
The pasta is also well throughly cooked as a whole, was definitely scrumptious and delightful with every bite!
I personally had enjoyed this dish as every individual strand of the noodles was so outstanding & silky from the light coat of olive oil.
The entire dish is definitely not dry which had just the right amount of moisture from the olive oil & seafood.
The seafood ingredients are also worth notable that is not only abundance in quantity, but were also definitely fresh & tasty!
The seafood are lightly boiled and stir fried with the pasta, had retained its freshness of seafood essence with every bite!
I really enjoyed their seafood especially the squid, as it is so chewy & large in size.
On the other hand, it also enhance the flavour of the spaghetti in particularly to the chilli added which gives it a good amount of kick to the extra flavour of spiciness, to the entire mouthwatering dish!
Overall as a whole, it was a superb fantabulous experience of savouring delicious pasta from this particular stall, “Pasta Manna”!
Not only it is affordable & great in quality, it really consist of the authentic taste of Italian cuisine that is well perfected!
In fact to be honest for such quality, I cannot agree much that it is rather similar to the standard of a restaurant as it was really that good!
Definitely, a must to try out this stall when you are over here at “Old Airport Road Food Centre & Shopping Mall”, that will leave your palate feeling all satisfied!
About Pasta Manna
Address: 51 Old Airport Road #01-84, 390051 (Old Airport Road Food Centre & Shopping Mall)
Opening Hours: Tue – Sun: [12:00 – 14:00] & [17:00 – 20:00] (Closed: Mon)
Tel: –
Average Price: SGD $5.50
- SGD $5.50 – Alfredo
- SGD $5.50 – Sausage and bacon pasta
- SGD $6.00 – Carbonara
- SGD $6.00 – Aglio olio e peperoncino
Pasta Manna is a stall at the Old Airport Road Hawkers’ Centre in Singapore. It is a Sole Proprietorship with a Unique Entity Number (UEN) of 53181009K and was incorporated on 07 Dec 2010. Its primary ssic description is STALLS SELLING COOKED FOOD. Pasta Manna is owned by Peter Lim, who has been running the business for four years.
A Cozy Little Italian Joint in the Heart of the City
The first thing you notice when you step inside Pasta Manna is how tiny and cozy it is. There’s only room for a few tables, but the place is always bustling with diners. The decor is simple, with some Italian movie posters on the brick walls, but it has a charming, old-world vibe. As soon as you sit down, the waiter brings over a basket of freshly baked focaccia bread and fills your water glass – that’s how they do it in Italy, after all! You already start to feel like you’ve been transported straight to the boot.
Authentic Italian Fare Made from Scratch
Everything at Pasta Manna is made completely from scratch, using high quality ingredients imported straight from Italy. You can tell the pasta dishes are handmade just by looking at the irregular shapes and textures of the noodles. My personal favorite is the pappardelle with wild boar ragu – the wide, silky ribbons of pasta are smothered in a rich, meaty tomato sauce. The handmade gnocchi in pesto is light and pillowy soft, while the seafood linguine piles high with fresh mussels, clams, shrimp and calamari in a garlicky white wine broth.
Can’t Decide? Go for the Pasta Tasting Menu
With so many tempting options, it’s hard to pick just one pasta dish! That’s why I recommend going with the pasta tasting menu at Pasta Manna. This lets you sample smaller portions of several classic pasta dishes, like lasagna, carbonara, cacio e pepe, bolognese, and Pasta Primavera. It’s a great way to experience the variety of flavors these Singapore chefs can create. Plus you get to try one of their homemade Italian desserts like tiramisu or panna cotta at the end – the perfect sweet finale!
Pair Your Pasta with Italian Wines or Craft Beers
Of course, you can’t have Italian food without something delicious to drink! The wine list at Pasta Manna features a nice selection of Italian reds, whites and sparkling wines to complement your pasta. I like to order a glass of Chianti Classico to go with my bolognese. If you prefer beer, they also have some Italian lagers like Peroni and Moretti as well as local craft beers. There’s nothing better than sipping a cold one while twirling forkfuls of pasta.
Cozy Outdoor Seating Lets You People Watch
One of my favorite parts about Pasta Manna is the three tiny tables they have set up outdoors. It’s great for people watching on the busy street, and you can feel the warm tropical breeze while you dine alfresco. The outdoor area is canopied with pretty fairy lights, giving it a lovely intimate ambiance in the evening. You’re surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the city, but it feels like your own little slice of Italy.
Friendly Service in a Laidback Atmosphere
The service at Pasta Manna is as warm and welcoming as the food. The staff greet you with big smiles and make you feel right at home. They’re happy to recommend dishes and wines to go with your meal in a casual, helpful way. The vibe is lively but laidback – you can come dressed up for date night or in your everyday clothes and still feel comfortable.
Reasonably Priced for the Quality
Considering the fresh, homemade pastas and ingredients at Pasta Manna, the prices are actually very reasonable. Pasta dishes range from $15-$25, while pizzas are $20-$30. It’s not dirt cheap, but you’re getting high quality, authentic Italian food made from scratch. Worth every penny in my book! They also offer takeout, so you can bring home some pasta to reheat later in the week.
Save Room for Dessert!
I always try to leave room for dessert at Pasta Manna, because their Italian sweets are just too good to pass up. The tiramisu is delicately layered with mascarpone, ladyfingers and espresso. The panna cotta comes in flavors like pistachio and raspberry, wobbling enticingly on the plate. If you want something fruity, try the tartufo – ice cream truffle rolled in cherry or limoncello flavors. Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on the dolce finale!
Pasta Manna is a Can’t-Miss Gem
Next time you’re exploring downtown Singapore and crave some authentic pasta, head to Pasta Manna on Esplanade Mall. This cozy little Italian joint serves incredible, homemade pastas and pizzas in a laidback setting with friendly service. Outdoor seating lets you dine alfresco and do some prime people watching. And make sure to leave room for dessert – their Italian sweets are sublime! Pasta Manna is a delicious destination I can’t recommend highly enough for tasty Italian fare in the heart of Singapore.