It’s probably no secret by now that I have a (healthy) obsession with Rosti — they’ve become my go-to meal whenever I see it on the menu at any western food place. But, I may have just found my new favourite place for rosti that’s hidden away in Farrer Park.
Located along Owen Road, Poonsti serves up crispy and thick portions of shredded potato pancake, fried to a crispy golden brown. Although, you might be more familiar with their sister brand Old Hen Kitchen. Poonsti is Old Hen’s dedicated rosti concept and they serve various flavours of rosti that pair perfectly with their signature drinks.
Rosti is commonly paired with bacon, and Poonsti’s version of rosti with bacon (S$18) features a zhng-ed up version that swaps out your regular bacon for a house-cured bacon. The dish is then paired with a hot tomato jam and topped with a nice runny sunny side up.
Unlike your regular bacon strips, Poonsti’s house cured bacon is a nice and fatty bacon that has been marinated with a special recipe which almost resembles the taste of char siew. The hot tomato jam also adds a touch of tanginess and spice into the savoury mix. Definitely a must-have when you visit.
Another pretty common pairing is rosti with smoked salmon. But of course, if there’s anything that we’ve learnt about Poonsti it’s that they never serve anything that is basic. The Salmon Rosti (S$19) features a generous serving of house-cured salmon, ricotta, capers, pickled onions, and dill.
The savoury and smoky flavours from the cured salmon contrasted well with the cheese and capers. What I especially loved was the refreshing burst of sweet and sour juices from the pickled onions, which also helped to make the dish feel less jelak — definitely not something you would expect to find on a plate of rosti.
This next one is probably my favourite — Smashed Avo and Mango Salsa (S$17). I used to think that avocados have been a little over hyped and very unnecessary as a pairing with rosti. But boy was I wrong. The combination of smashed avo, mango salsa and rosti was brilliantly executed here.
The avo was fresh and creamy which paired beautifully with the sour mango salsa. It was super delicious and the zesty salsa really elevated the flavours of the crunchy rosti. The rosti is served with a nice runny egg and some fried shallots to give it extra fragrance. I didn’t think I would enjoy this as much as I did — looks like I’ve got a newfound favourite!
No trip to Old Hen Kitchen is complete without giving their coffees a go. The Matcha Latte (S$7.50) was by far one of the better matcha lattes I’ve had. It was lightly sweet and creamy, with a light bitter aftertaste. The Mocha (S$7.90) on the other hand had a stronger fragrance of the roasted coffee beans which the cocoa notes from the valrhona and sweetness of the chocolate syrup. Just remember to mix well before drinking so that you get the best of everything.
To all my fellow rosti lovers, you’ll definitely wanna keep this one on your list. But do note that their rosti is only available in limited amounts daily, so head down early to avoid being disappointed — and trust us when we say that their rosti sells like hotcakes!
But really, once you’ve tried their rostis, you definitely won’t be disappointed.
Have yet to make plans for your weekend brunch? Head down to this cafe for some hearty rosti!
Poonsti
Instagram | Website
???? 127 Owen Road, Singapore 218931
???? 9.30am—3pm (or until sold out)
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Photos by Marcus Leong
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