Five of us briyani fans gathered at the newly opened Bamas Kitchen at Trio at Sam Leong Road (off Jalan Besar).
The interior decor is simple and clean. No frills except for the sole chandelier overhead.
Five of us, we initially ordered 3 types of briyani, namely, mutton, duck and prawn.
The mutton briyani wasn't
The pieces of mutton though well infused with flavoursome, aromatic and mildly hot spices were rather stiff and chewy. The texture was like how Indonesians make rendang meats. The mutton also weren't juicy.
But the rice was awesome despite its rather anaemic look. The long grains of basmati rice were tender, light and moist, and fully loaded with spice flavours and aroma. Though not greasy, the rice felt rich.
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There were many spices and things inside the briyani. Some like raisins, cashew, shallots, onions, cloves I can recognise, most were however, mysteries to me but they taste and smell fantastic. I did recognise the lacey bits of nutmeg membrane (mace) in the basmati rice. Mace are flavour bombs. Just one bite into this little purplish bit and we can taste the flavours of the whole nutmeg fruit.
Eaten together with the mutton, the reddish brown masala punctuated the flavourful rice with more intense spicy highlights. Overall, I enjoyed the mutton briyani mainly because of the rice.
The few shelled prawns in the briyani were smallish, just sufficiently fresh and not very flavourful except for the masala they were cooked it.
Again, it was the awesome basmati rice that saved the day for me.
I was looking forward to this duck briyani as I have never tasted or even heard of duck briyani before this. I wondered how they would work together. (Pardon the mess, we had to dig the duck up from under the mound of rice for you to see π )
The tender and juicy duck pieces were smothered with the same delicious aromatic spiced basmati rice. The rice rich and full of flavours combined well with the rich, savoury taste of the duck with gently gamey highlights in the soft skin.
Love this duck.
Our appetites whetted, we added an order of chicken briyani (the one we initially omitted in case we were too full). Chicken briyani is chicken briyani, right? Wrong lor... . It turned out that we liked this a lot.
The chicken well spiced and aromatic was tender and juicy, and it combined well with the same briyani rice for an overall sweeter (from shallots etc), flavourful, aromatic dish.
Though served with basically the same spiced basmati rice, the different masalas for the chicken, duck, mutton and prawn gave the different briyanis their own unique flavour and aroma profiles.
We also had a few sides.
The roti prata (paratha) was light and fluffy, just slightly crisp, gently savoury sweet in flavour, rich yet not greasy.
Chicken korma with a tender juicy piece of drumstick in a creamy pool of rich curry loaded with well balanced flavourful and aromatic spices.
Aaron was raving about this spicy chicken ghee roast from his previous visit. He loved it because it was fiery, tongue burning hot. Today, it was flavourful but wasn't quite as masochistically hot as Aaron remembered it.
Still craving for that old burn, Aaron ordered this mutton ghee roast, taking some pains to impress upon the staff that we wanted that same old burning feeling ✊ no holds barred, no quarter given please.
This was certainly hotter, spicier than the chicken ghee roast but it still wasn't that spicy and hot punishment that we were looking forward to. We are crazy. Don't be siao like us π (Siao is Singlish for mad.)
The palak paneer was flavourful - flavours from the cubes of cottage cheese and spinach puree with spices were quite mild and well balanced. I always love palak paneer as it is one of the tastiest ways to eat my vegetables π
We enjoyed the rice and flavourful sides so much that we ordered a serving of kosong (plain) briyani to lap it all up π
The menu for your reference. There is a 10% service charge.
Five of us, we paid $20 per person for today's meal.
Information for you π Bamas Kitchen's biryanis are rich, full of well balanced alluring flavours and aromas. Yet they are non greasy and clean tasting as Bamas Kitchen uses no frozen meat, no MSG, artificial flavourings, colouring, or preservatives. My personal favourites were the duck and chicken briyanis, especially the duck. The ambiance is a no frills restaurant but the food tastes homely and warm. Prices are slightly premium but I feel it is value for money (especially, if we go for the sets).
Restaurant name: Bamas Kitchen
Address: 11 Sam Leong Road Trio #04-01, Singapore 207903
GPS: 1°18'32.7"N 103°51'25.7"E π 1.309093, 103.857146
Nearest MRT station: Farrer Park
Tel: 6493 0399
Hours: 10:00am - 10:00pm (Monday off)
No pork, no lard, no Halal cert
Date visited: 2 Jan 2020
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