Tucked away in a coffee shop within Jackson Square in Toa Payoh, Ling Maison is an underrated hidden gem that sells a slew of Western dishes. Not only are the portions hearty, the service is impeccable and the food is simply delicious and doesn’t skimp on quality. What’s more, you’ll also be able to find a handful of uncommon dishes to indulge in.
Run by Irene who has been honing her skills in the kitchen for over ten years, Ling Maison is actually named after her daughter, Ling, who lends a hand in the running of the stall. Ling herself is also a part of the F&B industry but has more experience in the service side of it.
The marinades, sauces and most of their sides are made in-house. Even the coleslaw which sees Irene painstakingly shredding the cabbage and carrots by hand everyday.
Look forward to classics such as Chicken Chop ($7.90), Pork Chop ($8.90), Chicken Cutlet ($7.90) and Fish and Chips ($7.90). There are even interesting spins that you don’t often get to see in Western stalls. Think French-inspired Chicken Ragout ($9.90), Bangers & Mash ($10.90) paired with edamame, and Crispy Cheesy Chicken ($9.90) that requires a 10 to 15-minute wait time.
For those feeling peckish, snack on their finger foods that include Cheese Tofu Fritters ($4), Fish Cocktail ($4) and Sotongyaki ($5.50).
Sadly, the Crispy Cheesy Chicken I was originally gunning for was not in stock that day so I opted for the Salmon Hollandaise ($12.90) instead. Irene shared that while most places use 150g of salmon for their dishes, she goes for 180g. The salmon was seasoned with Cajun spices before going on the grill for three minutes.
While it could stand to be a tad more moist, the seasoning was done just right to allow the natural flavours of the fish to shine through and work in tandem with the creamy tanginess of the house-made Hollandaise sauce.
I’m not much of a coleslaw person, but even I have to admit that Ling Maison’s rendition of it was quite addictive. The fresh veggies were mixed with lemon and mayonnaise, resulting in a sweet, refreshing crunch that easily allows you to keep going as it it not heavy on the palate. As for the mashed potato, the mash was thick and creamy with a hint of butter and it was paired with a savoury gravy.
I was also intrigued by the Hawaiian Smoked Chicken ($8.90) and wasn’t disappointed at all. The super-duper tender and juicy chicken was marinated beforehand in a secret house-made marinade that includes Japanese cooking wine and the sauce coating it was like a crosso between BBQ and tomato sauce. This yielded a bounty of sweet and tangy flavours all at once, accompanied by a burst of freshness from the pineapple slice on top.
The fries were very crispy and the fresh salad on the side sprinkled with sesame. I’d also recommend getting the potato salad as a side as well. The house-made side dish sees diced potato dressed in a light, tangy sauce with a lemon-y fragrance.
Stalls like these that keep prices affordable are truly great finds and with the number of enticing items on their menu, you’ll find yourself making a few return trips. I know I would, to give the Crispy Cheesy Chicken and Chicken Ragout a try!
