Beans with Harissa and
Hummus
dips for appitiser
THOUGH small in size, Singapore has plenty of gems that I’m still in the process of discovering. I don’t know about you, but I love exploring quaint streets that exude a unique essence.
Take Arab Street for example. Walking past that area allows me to appreciate the sights and smells, of course. Peppered with plenty of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurants, one can’t help but be enticed by the alluring scent of grilled meat and the works.
My friend recently heard from another friend about a particular café at Arab Street that serves really good Middle Eastern cuisine. I enthusiastically announced that we should head there for dinner and thankfully my friend was hungry too. It did help that we were around the area.
Mixed platter of lamb, beef, and chicken
Opened by a third-generation Arab Singaporean in 2001, this humble outfit serves authentic Arabic food. Being the first Arabic themed eatery to open in this Kampong Glam area, Café Le Caire has certainly injected into Arab Street a quaint Arabic soul.
With an extensive menu that boasts anything from poultry to appetizers and house specials (the menu states they serve whole carcass of lamb!), I was drooling as I flipped though their offerings.
In the end, we settled for Foul with Harissa and Hummus as our appetizer. Served with Arabic bread, it’s a combination of three dips. As foul as it might sound, don’t be fooled by its name; Foul is delicious – made from broad beans, this dip has a thick gravy texture that is usually eaten for breakfast in Middle eastern homes. Harissa is a Yemeni recipe cooked with lamb and white wheat while hummus is a mix of chickpea and tahini (sesame paste).
The dips came with Arabic bread – a flat bread which you tear into pieces to eat with the dips. I thought it was a good way to start a meal. It was light and tasty. All three dips when eaten together, gives a lot of mouth feel.
Perfectly seasoned wedges
Next, we had a mixed grill platter and a basket of potato wedges. Served with a creamy yoghurt-based dip, it came with grilled mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and plenty of fresh greens. We satiated our ravenous appetite with the roasted lamb, beef, and chicken. There was this moist sausage that was really tasty too. The meat had a smoky taste, which gave it character.
Ah and the wedges, they are worth raving about. Crisp and thick, these beauties came out piping hot and the spices used to season them were just nice. I love wedges that have been seasoned to perfection; it kind of seals the deal! By the time we finished, night had fallen. And just then, I couldn’t help thinking what a great Arabian Night this was. I didn’t even have to travel far for it either! I’m really looking forward to more great eats in this cosy part of Singapore!
Café Le Caire
39 Arab Street
Singapore 199738
Tel: 6292 0979
Open from 10 am to 3:30 am
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