Uncle Bob booked a fried duck at Benson Salted Duck stall, and enthusiastically invited me to join him at Kim Seng Eating House in Toa Payoh, Singapore.
Benson, already famous for his poached salted duck, just added fried salted duck to his menu.
But, gotta call Benson to reserve (hp 97814042) - each fried duck costs S$36 (2017 price). Benson makes the fried ducks only on order as it is quite tedious to do given that he does all the cooking personally. 一脚踢 (One leg kick) as the Cantonese say.
The fried duck is first made the usual salted duck way - poached in salt water. Next, it is bathed in dark savoury sweet braising stock. Finally, it is fried to seal in the flavours from the braising stock and to give the skin a subtle crisp.
We shared half a bird at the coffee shop and took away the other half to enjoy at home.
Before I go any further on the fried duck, first a word on the salted duck - Benson's original claim to fame.
I like it more than ever before. The texture is so tender and smooth now, it is like poached kampung chicken (but it is duck, a more fibrous bird). The saltiness is milder and smoother on the palate than before. Love it.
Back to Benson's fried duck.
The duck is lean (as it is Malaysia raised skinny 菜鸭). The meat is tender and moist. Though fried, the skin outside is soft and have very subtle crisp only.
The meat has the same savoury flavour as the "white" duck but it has an additional layer of savouriness on the fried skin. I also tasted a subtle sweetness in the duck.
I love this fried duck as the texture and flavours are both right for me 😄
We also shared a kiam chye ark soup (鹹菜鴨湯 salted vegetable duck soup). I like this too. The soup is not overly salty nor greasy (common problems with kiam chye ark). The soup actually took away some of the saltiness from the salted duck. So, if you like your salted duck quite mild, you can try out Benson's kiam chye ark.
For carbs, Benson offers the choice of oiled rice, kway teow kia (narrow flat rice noodles) and porridge. I opted for porridge and was pleased with my choice.
The gooey sweet rice gruel is bathed with mild savoury braising stock. I enjoyed the well balanced sweet savoury gruel.
(4-Stars out of 5) Benson serves excellent salted ducks - both the white and black versions. Tender, juicy, savoury. Tastes and feels smooth in the mouth. It's quite a pleasure.
If I have to choose between black or white, I'll go for black as it has more flavours - a subtly different savouriness on the skin and a bit of sweetness for balance. (But, remember to book by calling Benson at hp 97814042.)
Thanks Uncle Bob for the treat 😋😋 burp burp
Benson duck in the beginning 👈 click
Update from 28 Aug 2023 visit
Restaurant name: Benson Salted Duck stall Kim Seng Eating House. 盛记咸水鸭 [猪什汤,鸭肉粿条汤]
Address: Blk 168, Toa Payoh Lorong 1 #01-1040, Singapore 310168 (10 minutes walk from Toa Payoh MRT / Caldecott MRT)
GPS: 1°19'54.6"N 103°50'36.5"E | 1.331837, 103.843462
Tel: +65 9781 4042
Hours: 9:30am - 3:00 pm (Thursdays off)
Non Halal
Written by Tony Boey on 26 Jan 2017, 9 Oct 2017
🎗 Opinions in this blog are all my own as no restaurant paid money to be featured.
To ensure neutrality, this blog is powered by voluntary contributions from appreciative readers to Tony Boey Johor Kaki PAYNOW 96888768 in Singapore $.
Best with a bowl of kway tiao soup. They accept use of CDC vouchers too!
ReplyDeleteFirst time trying their pork organ fish maw soup, the ingredients overflow!
ReplyDeleteThe lime really make the duck mean more appetizing
ReplyDeleteOne of our fav
ReplyDelete