Fishy Business: Where to Eat Some of the Best Fish and Chips in Singapore

PUBLISHED December 12th, 2017 02:29 pm | UPDATED February 6th, 2020 09:45 pm

Alongside the quintessential Sunday Roast, Fish and Chips is another classic British food that has taken over the world and, not least, Singapore. For, with its crispy fries and even tastier golden-brown fillets, what’s not to like? From the most prosaic of hawker centres to the dining rooms of the finest restaurants, more often than not, you’ll be able to order different renditions of this dish. So, given the dizzying array of choices available, here’s where to find the best fish and chips in Singapore.

For the Most Famous Fish and Chips, try… Bread Street Kitchen

Perhaps you’re one viewer of the few millions who have seen Gordon Ramsay prepare this signature dish on YouTube or MasterChef. Either way, each time he dips the batter-dredged cod fillets into the spattering oil, you start drooling with a sort of appetite that longs to be satisfied instantly. The good news is that at Bread Street Kitchen, you’ll be able to get fish and chips that is as close to the chef’s own as possible. The bad news? It comes with a $29 price-tag. Nevertheless, with its glistening fried fish, crushed peas, and the most delectable twice-fried chips, the fish and chips here is, as Chef Ramsay himself would call it, “beautiful”.

Bread Street Kitchen is located at The Shoppes At Marina Bay Sands, L1-81 and B1-01C, 2 Bayfront Avenue, Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956, p. +65 6688 5665. Opens Mon – Thu 11.30am – 1am, Fri 11.30am – 2am, Sat 7.30am – 2am, Sun 7.30am – 1am.

For a Taste of Jolly Ole England, try… Oxwell & Co

Seated by an English bar, or in a Baroque-inspired dining room, it is not difficult to imagine yourself transported halfway across the world, into an archetypal Victorian tavern. Now pair that with a refreshing gin and tonic, as well as a plate of fish and chips ($26), and the image is complete. The fish here – a firm but flakey enough sea bass – is crispier and more flavourful than what you’d expect from a run-of-the-mill British pub, and the chips are fluffier too.

Oxwell and Co is located at 5 Ann Siang Road, Chinatown, Singapore 069688, p. +65 6438 7036. Opens Mon 4pm – 12am, Tue – Sun 12pm – 12am.

 

For Cheap and Good Fish and Chips, try… Mr Fish and Chips

Our hawker centre “western food” stalls have become sort of a unique phenomenon, serving up localized versions of British and American dishes at a common man’s price point. Unmissable on every one of such menus is the “fish and chips”, which oft consists of one or two generous slices of fish, fries, and a dollop of coleslaw. Though the quality varies from stall to stall, at Mr Fish and Chips, you’re guaranteed a dish of restaurant quality for just $9.90. Here, the piquant fish fillets – breaded, not battered – do practically melt in a bite. Likewise, the thick, crinkle-cut fries are equally remarkable. Finished off with its rich and zesty homemade tartar sauce, this simple dish is every bit as worthy of mention as its pricier counterparts.

Mr Fish and Chips is located at 1 Selegie Rd #01-20/21, Singapore 188306, p. +65 9897 6048. Open 12pm – 9pm daily. 

For the Most Unique Fish and Chips, try… The Pipe District

Ever tried black-coloured fish? And what if it were paired with sweet potato fries? For those for whom regular fish and chips is too mainstream, The Pipe District has got something its sleeves for you. Its charcoal fish and chips (starts from $16 depending on the fish) may look shockingly unappetizing, if not disturbing, at first, with its fillets being coated in the darkest of batter. But slice into it and you’ll find the whitest, most incredible, gleaming, moist flesh. The charcoal lends a slightly earthier taste to the dish, and the sweet potato fries are crisp on the outside, and unbelievably soft in the middle. Don’t let the look of the monochromatic fish deter you from this dish, and if you’re looking for a luxe version, Adrift by David Myers serves Charcoal & Black Beer Battered Cod ($31) with bottarga aioli during weekend brunch.

The Pipe District is located at Sparkle, 45 Science Park Road #01-09/10, Singapore 117407, p. +65 6873 0143. Open 11am – 10pm daily. 

For Fish and Chips with an Asian Twist, try… Fish and Chick’s

“Anything they can do, I can do better,” seems like the unofficial mantra of the food scene in Singapore, because what is Singaporean cuisine if it doesn’t come with a slight twist? Expectedly, our clever ideas have gotten to this much beloved classic as well, for here is now fish and chips with salted egg yolk and chili crab sauce. The fish by itself is, admittedly, not anything special, but the additional sauces do add a long-overdue punch to what often gets lost in blandness – the salted egg yolk is just creamy enough to linger around for a few long seconds, whilst the chili crab sauce is tangy and spicy. Try both with The Best of Both Worlds ($13.80).

Fish and Chicks is located at Blk 531 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, #01-2429, Singapore, 560531, p. +65 9828 3490. Open 11am – 9.30pm daily. 

For the Best of the Best, try… Greenwood Fish Market & Bistro

It’s not easy to come to an unambiguous consensus about good food, but it appears that we’ve all agreed that Greenwood Fish Market & Bistro does, in fact, serve up the finest version of this pub staple. Unlike its British peers, Greenwood encases its House Fish & Chips ($19.95) in a lighter and thinner batter, ensuring that it turns out perfectly crisp; and the dish tends not to be over-seasoned, so the flesh remains tender and delicate. The straight-cut fries here are not just beautifully golden, but they’re also salted just lightly enough for the earthy taste of potato to come through. Simple and delicious, if you’re looking for a version of fish and chips that will please everyone, this is surely it.

Greenwood Fish Market & Bistro is located at 34 & 38 Greenwood Avenue, Singapore 289236, p. +65 6467 4950. Open 11am – 10.30pm daily. 

For the Most Authentic Fish and Chips, try… Smith’s

Delivered from the land of fish and chips, right to your plate – how much more authentic can it get? Started by two homesick Englishmen, Smith’s seeks to bring to Singapore a rendition of this comfort food that sticks true to its origins, and this begins with acquiring ingredients straight from their source. The airflown cod, haddock, and halibut is then prepared as closely as possible to traditional methods, by yet another British “import” – their chefs. The result is a precise replica of fried fish not unlike what you’d get at your local pub in England – warm, light, and satisfying. This one’s for the British-styled purists.

Smith’s is located at 271 Bukit Timah Road, #01-02 Balmoral Plaza, Singapore 259708, p. +65 6737 9313. Open 11.30am – 11pm daily.