01-05-2025
THIS CAFE @ 326: Simple family-style HDB eatery with $5.50+ Western mains like aglio olio & crispy fish & chips
Coming across THIS CAFE @ 326 in Jurong West during my 'hidden gem' eatery hunt was amusing, to say the least. 'I'm gonna bring you to this cafe for lunch,' I told my foodie partner-in-crime brother.
'Uh, which cafe?' 'THIS CAFE!'
The quaint neighbourhood eatery is the exact definition of nondescript, but it certainly caught my attention. Its industrial white aesthetic was like its name; clean, simple and straightforward. Hidden under Block 326 (hence the name), it was a short walk from the nearby bus stop at Opp Jurong Polyclinic but still required some searching due to our unfamiliarity with the area.
THIS CAFE @ 326 was empty during our visit except for two young boys occupying the tables at the back. One of the 2 gentlemen running the place appeared to be their father or guardian; he approached them now and then to help them with their homework.
We were instantly captivated by the range of dishes on the menu. Most of the mains were under S$18, including pasta from S$5.50, pizza from S$8.90 and grilled meat dishes.
We started with the Aglio Olio (S$5.50) for our choice of pasta. The first thing that greeted us was the strong smell of garlic and the warmth radiating from the plate.
I initially thought the pasta would be too soft but it was nicely bouncy! It did feel a little softer than al dente, but the fact that it still retained a slight chew and wasn't soggy was a plus. Even with the presence of chilli padi, the spaghetti wasn't too spicy. It had a rich savoury flavour which thankfully didn't come from it being overly salty.
Despite the strong garlicky smell, I felt it could use more garlic. The aroma didn't translate into the dish's flavour as well as I thought it would, though I could detect it alongside the olive oil and herbs.
To my fungi-hating brother's dismay, brown mushroom slices peeked out from under the strands of the Aglio Olio. It's a good thing yours truly is the exact opposite. Earthy and chewy, the mushrooms were yummy and I found no difficulty in clearing the plate of them.
For our protein, we selected the All Time Favourite Fish & Chips (S$8).
This dish was our clear favourite. The dory fish was smooth, tender and flaky. In usual Bri'ish fashion, it was seasoned with mostly just salt and pepper but still succeeded in winning us over.
I enjoyed the crispy breaded crust, although I still prefer battered fish. Our dory had a golden, heavenly crunch on the top though the bottom where it was in contact with the plate had softened from the steam.
Swirled: Fancy hawker pasta from $5.90 like laksa prawn, tonkotsu linguine & smoked duck aglio olio
While I am a vegetable lover, coleslaw isn't my favourite side dish. Something about the large amount of dressing usually puts me off. Tangy yet creamy, the shredded cabbage and carrot salad had a light crunch from the raw veggies to add a refreshing touch to the savoury dish. While it wasn't my cup of tea, I'm sure it might be someone else's!
The fries were just average. Thick-cut style, the potato pieces were crispy outside and soft and crumbly inside. However, we could easily tell from the taste that these were your typical frozen then deep-fried grocery store fries. They were not the best quality, but were reasonable given that THIS CAFE @ 326 isn't a fancy establishment.
Even as an appetiser, the price of the Crispy (S$7) was almost on par with those of the mains like the S$8 Fish & Chips. Seafood things, I guess.
This was the kind of texture I wished the fish's crust had come with. Coated in crunchy batter, the squid rings were decently sized and thick and weren't fishy. Sure, they were slightly tough, but nothing too hard to chew or rubbery. I'd demolish another basket of these if I could because they were so addictive!
As mint lovers, we caved and ordered a Frost Green Mint Milkshake (S$7.50). Of everything we tried, this was one we could've done without.
The price of the drink did not match its size. Served in a petite disposable plastic cup, the milkshake was a pale green from the peppermint syrup and vanilla ice cream. Luckily, no one lost a leg that day – it wasn't as sweet as we were worried it might be. It was definitely minty, but I would've liked a stronger flavour.
THIS CAFE @ 326 was non-fancy but still satisfying, although probably not for people with astronomical standards. Even so, I wouldn't mind returning to try other dishes like the BBQ Pork Ribs (S$8) or the Pizza (S$8.90), though I'd pass on the Milkshake.
If you're looking for cosy and quiet vibes with inexpensive food and don't mind travelling to the West, THIS CAFE might be the place for you! It's a well-hidden spot that is worth searching out for a try for simple yet wholesome Western food.
Expected Damage: S$5.50 – S$13 per pax
Order Delivery: foodpanda
Panda Bee: XL $7.90 hawker fish & chips — so big, you'll wonder how they profit
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