When I say the words “pani puri”, chances are that Chai O’ Clock will come to mind. You may have spotted them and their “TikTok-viral pani pani” at numerous pop-up events and markets like Artbox, FUSE, and the Geylang Serai Bazaar.
Good news for those who are fans of the popular Indian street snack — fried shells filled with spiced mashed potatoes and crunchy toppings — as they’ve finally opened a physical eatery along MacPherson Road.
The air-conditioned eatery, which is an 11-minute walk from Mattar MRT or a 12-minute walk from Tai Seng MRT, has both indoor and outdoor seating for groups of all sizes.
You’ll be able to find standard offerings like prata, thosai, appam, and briyani on the menu, but we recommend giving the more unique items a try.
For instance, ordering the iconic Pani Puri (S$8) with mint water is a no-brainer, but if you prefer sweeter flavours, the Dahi Puri (S$9), which is filled with yogurt (curd), as well as a date and tamarind chutney, will be right up your alley.
One dish you don’t come across often is Satti Sorru, or Indian claypot curry rice. Also known as “wok rice”, it is prepared by mixing rice, curry gravy, and an assortment of ingredients in a clay pot over a low fire or stove.
There are toppings like Mutton (S$15.90) and Chicken Special (S$13.90), but it was the Seafood Combo (S$18.90) that caught my eye. Might as well go all out, am I right?
As soon as the claypot was served and the lid lifted, I was hit by the fragrance of masala. There it was — a pot of vibrantly hued, piping hot curry rice crowned by a generous serving of crab, prawns and squid.
Even though I knew it was going to taste good, all it took was one bite for me to be absolutely blown away. Every single grain of rice had been evenly coated in the rich, intense, and deeply savoury gravy, and it tasted so, so good.
The flavour was so concentrated, that it almost became a tad overwhelming after the first couple of bites. Not that it made me want to stop eating, though.
If you, like me, are a fan of bold, hearty, and in-your-face flavours, this is a definite must-order to share with family and friends.
Feel free to fork out extra for add-ons like Boiled Eggs (S$3) and Quail Eggs (S$3.50) that’ll soak up all that flavour, or even Ikan Bilis (S$3.50) for a salty, punchy kick.
Another standout on the menu is Shellout (seafood boil).
Prices start from S$55.90 for the Citizen set, comprising prawns, squid, clam, crab, mussels, broccoli, cauliflower, and corn. If you’re dining in a larger group, go for the Rolex (from S$88.90), which can feed five to eight hungry diners — it comes with extra ingredients like scallop and ladies finger!
Flavours-wise, those with a low spice tolerance can go for the Chef’s Cream Based (from S$60.90) or Royal Black Pepper (from S$58.90).
Those who aren’t well-versed in Indian flavours should order the Magic Masala (from S$55.90), which we got to try a tasting portion of. The masala gravy, though vivid in colour, tasted lighter and lot less spicy than it looked, but we couldn’t get enough of the buttery mouthfeel.
Although the shellout here is served with rice on a banana leaf, I found myself enjoying the seafood on its own.
But if you order the Signature Fish Head Curry, rice is a must. You can either order it Ala Carte for S$38 or opt to enjoy it as a Set Meal (S$48.80), inclusive of two portions of rice, vegetables of the day, and Indian omelette.
I’ve had my fair share of fish head curries, but this was definitely one of the more memorable renditions, with an aromatic, slurp-worthy gravy that had the right balance of tangy and spicy.
Also, the fish was soft, tender, and most importantly, tasted fresh.
All I can say is, it’s a homely and comforting dish that’s sure to impress even the most picky of in-laws.
Wash everything down with a creamy, wonderfully spiced Masala Tea (from S$3), or chai, because what’s a visit to Chai O’ Clock without chai?
You can’t go wrong with a creamy Lassi (from S$6) to quench your thirst and beat the heat, but those keen on something different (unless you grew up drinking it) can give the Mooru/Buttermilk (S$7) a try.
Don’t be put off by the topping of raw onions; buttermilk is essentially a savoury spiced yogurt drink that helps improve digestion and reduce the burning sensation (akin to that of acid reflux) one may feel after a heavy meal. It’s also a great source of hydration on hot and humid days — the more you know!
True enough, both my dining partner and I felt a lot less bloated after drinking the buttermilk, despite us feeling super-duper full.
Chai O’ Clock is unfortunately not open for supper (yet) but let’s hope that changes in the near future! Till then, I’ll still pop by for my fix of Indian comfort food (especially the satti sorru), and you should too.
Chai O’ Clock
Instagram | TikTok
📍 456 MacPherson Rd, Singapore 368174
🕐 8am–10pm (Daily)
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Photos by Christabel Tan
I'm always feelin' either boozy or boujee ✨