PUBLISHED June 26th, 2012 02:41 pm | UPDATED March 28th, 2016 01:59 pm
2016 Update: Smiths Fish and Chips has since moved to271 Bukit Timah Road, #01-02 Balmoral Plaza, 259708. Unfortunately the standard has dropped and we would not recommend it as much anymore as the below review suggests.
Boat Quay is well known for being somewhat of a mecca for seafood, yet did you know that amongst all the fish tanks filled with crabs and clams and anything else under the sea, you can also find what is possibly Singapore’s most authentic seller of England’s most beloved dish? Yes that’s right…Fish and Chips!
Despite my usual animosity towards Boat Quay the thought of good old-fashioned fish and chips overwhelmed me, and being dragged by two Brits raving about it was all I needed to win me over.
Arriving at Smiths, I was blown away….
The only way I can explain it is like this…It would be like walking around London surrounded by all the old architecture, tradition and cold, cold weather…and then all of a sudden you find a Singaporean food court…..Chicken rice, prawn mee, laksa .. the works.
The place is authentic to the T. Even the menu signboard on the wall literally looks like it’s been stolen from a chippie somewhere in England. It’s perfect.
As for the fish and chips, it brought me back to being 10 years old and picking up fish and chips on the weekly visit to my grandparents.
Wrapped up in paper, I eagerly and meticulously unwrapped the precious bundle and admired what was before me …
A good sized haddock fillet, in batter that was surprisingly light. As for the chips…oh the chips….Proper British style – thick cut, soft in the middle with a slight crisp on the outside.
And there goes the diet (again) as I demolished everything in site, doused in tartar sauce.
Of course if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, you can do a ‘Wilson’ and cover your fish in curry sauce and mushy peas. Then devour.
Boat Quay is one of those areas that honestly I try and avoid… No need to go into details why but getting harassed every 5 seconds to have a beer at happy hour and then have food menus shoved at me is very low on my list of ‘fun things to do in Singapore’..
But I will say this…next time the craving comes around, I won’t mind fighting through the attack of menus and beer bottles to head straight down to Smiths and have myself a taste of Old Blighty. Oh yes.