Cajun restaurants in Singapore
The neat thing about the food scene in Singapore is how you can find almost anything to fill your bellies with. Huddled within the mouth-watering multitude of American restaurants lies a niche cuisine that’s been drawing the masses with seafood boils, jambalaya, gumbo and po-boys. Cajun food has been assimilating into the hearts of locals as it did with the natives of Louisiana – the birthplace of this distinctive heritage. These restaurants might not have a teleportation device to take you to this resilient and rich Southern state, but with dishes this authentic, you’re getting the next best thing.
Cajun Kings
It’s quite a giant proclamation to declare yourself a king. But with its reputation for cooking up monstrous servings of seafood boils, this popular food haunt rightfully deserves its spot on the Cajun throne. Aside from buttermilk frog legs and fried okra, this Cajun haven will get your hands filthy as you pry into Dungeness crabs and Boston maine lobsters. Or for a real shirt-stainer (bibs at the ready!), make sure you ‘bag’ The Cajun Kings Combo for a bagged-up platter of red sea prawns, Manila clams, corn, sausages and Cajun fries.
Cajun Kings, 15 Jalan Riang, Singapore 358987, p. 6284 4426. Open Tue-Sun 3pm-10.30pm, closed Mondays.
Full Of Crab
A shared gig experience, a spontaneous conversation about the universe – there are numerous ways to spark off a friendship outta the blue. At Full Of Crab, it promises to turn its patrons into friends with the communal activity of shelling Cajun-spiced crustaceans without care for glam-ness or clean fingers. Get messy with king crab legs, snow crabs, slipper lobsters and crawfish – immersed in flavour-rich sauces like garlic butter, cajun and the Fully Loaded house special. Just remember not to rub your eyes if you’re taking on the maximum spice level. That – we assure you – is not a load of crap.
Full Of Crab, 195 East Coast Road, Singapore 428900, p. 6348 8195. Open Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm and 6.30pm-10.30pm, Sat-Sun 11.30am-10.30pm, closed Tuesdays.
The Beast
Some might argue that the tradition of fried chicken and waffles doesn’t hail from the Cajun-coddling region of Louisiana. But that doesn’t matter; once you start devouring this beastly dish (heavenly but oh-so-sinful!) from this Southern kitchen and bourbon bar, getting your history right will be the least of your priorities. Your priority, instead, will be to muster enough endurance to digest this wicked combo of fluffy maple butter sauce-glazed waffles and crispy buttermilk chicken. With a pairing this divine, your dining plans here will never go South (pun intended).
The Beast, 17 Jalan Klapa, Singapore 199329, p. 6295 0017. Open Mon-Wed & Sat 5pm-12am, Thu-Fri 5pm-1am, Sun 10am-5pm.
The Beast’s chicken & waffles
Big Bern’s American Grill
We’d eagerly shake hands with Big Bern himself for incorporating a chunk of Louisianan culture into his all-American menu. Not only will you find Louisiana chicken gumbo – a thick roux-based soup with smoked chicken sausage, Cajun veggies and spices – in this Toa Payoh diner, but also an abundant showcase of one of Louisiana’s comfort foods. For centuries, the po-boy is one sub sandwich that’s been part of the Southern state’s heritage. And over here, you can taste the tradition yourself with fried soft shell crab po-boys, bayou chicken po-boys and cajun chicken po-boys. Thank you, Big Bern!
Big Bern’s American Grill, 978 Toa Payoh North, #02-01, Singapore 319001, p. 6710 7362. Open Mon-Thu 11.30am-9pm, Fri-Sun 11.30am-3pm and 5pm-9pm.
Table Manners
Please don’t our manners (or lack of) as we ardently stuff our faces with this establishment’s Cajun goodies. The menu ain’t all Southern, but it’s got dishes that will make any Louisiana lover go loco nonetheless. Aside from go-to soul food like Louisiana fried chicken and roasted Cajun-spiced Arcadian chicken, Table Manners also serves another Cajun cornerstone – jambalaya. A Louisianan counterpart to Spanish paella, Table Manner’s seafood and chicken jambalaya is one bountiful serving; scoop into a treasure cove of mussels, prawns, pork sausage and mid-joint wings in spicy sauce, served with side pilaf rice. Manners? Those can wait.
Table Manners, 5 Changi Business Park Central 1, #01-68/69 Changi City Point, Singapore 486038, p. 6604 7669. Open daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 5pm-11pm.
The Boiler
Always trust a seasoned backyard cook to know how to take care of ravenous, food-longing masses. Finding joy in satisfying the appetites of friends and family, The Boiler’s owner eventually opened this Cajun-style seafood boil resto in 2008, spreading the love with pepper-buttered platters of Dungeness crabs, Boston lobsters, crawfish and clams. Another feature that catches our attention is The Boiler’s exceptional supply of Louisiana-crafted beer. Brewed by Abita, these encompass flavours like the caramel-infused Amber, the chocolatey toffee-tinged Turbodog, and the raspberry-mixed Purple Haze. Always a party to be had at The Boiler!
The Boiler, 18 Howard Road, #01-06 Novelty Bizcentre, Singapore 369585, p. 6635 1285. Open for lunch Tue-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm. Open for dinner, Sun-Thu 5pm-10.30pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-11pm.
Crab In Da Bag
This seafood boil operates on a simple concept that works marvellously. Toss crab, sides, and sauces into a transparent bag and voila – tasty shellfish you can eat with your hands! Yup, no cutlery needed. Great, messy fun for your posse of famished foodies. Personally, we recommend the giga-sized Caboodle Boil for a kumbaya-like dining sesh fit for feasting – live seafood simmered in a secret combination of Louisiana (and local!) herbs and spices, cooked with garlic and unsalted butter. Can you say, “Yum”?
Crab In Da Bag, 902 East Coast Park, #01-25 Big Splash, Singapore 449874, p.6440 0083. Open Tue-Fri 4pm-11pm, Sat-Sun 11am-11pm, closed Mondays.
8 Stadium Walk, #02-05 Water Sports Centre, Singapore 397699, p. 6384 3511. Open Tue-Fri 4pm-11pm, Sat-Sun 11am-11pm, closed Mondays.
Wholly Crab
Set up by local actress Felicia Chin, this little joint at Satay by the Bay follows the Louisiana seafood concept, where you can choose your seafood bucket and customise it any way you want. Here’s the twist: on offer are unique sauces like kung pao, Marmite, and creamy cheese – you know, just in case you’re tired of the whole black pepper, chilli crab business. We hear they’re even setting up a new outlet at The Bedok Marketplace soon – good news for Easties!
Wholly Crab, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Satay by the Bay, Singapore 018953, p. 6538 9956. Open Mon-Thu 2pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 2pm-11pm