Fishermen's Wharf: Plenty of Fish in the Ocean!
Atlantic Cod $16.50
The French have Foie Gras, the British have Fish n Chips. I always find it strange how two countries situated so close to each other can have such a difference in food culture. The British seem to lack imagination when it comes to food and Fish n Chips is just such an example of unimaginative food.
But as they say, the simplest things in life are often the best and I admit that at times, I just crave to have a nice piping hot, crispy battered fish with a squeeze of lemon and tartare sauce. When I was living in Australia, there was all sorts of fish used for Fish n Chips. But here in Singapore, most places use Cream Dory (Sutchi). The Cream Dory is really the Vietnamese Catfish (Patin) and should not be confused with the John Dory which is a very different (and 
much more expensive and delicious) fish altogether. The Cream Dory is cheap and does not have a strong flavour so most local Fish n Chips stalls marinade it and fry either in batter or bread crumbs. It's cheap and good but if you want to try authentic Fish n Chips its got to be Fish from up in the North Atlantic, near the British Isles where Fish n Chips originated from.
I have been looking for a nice Cod Fish n Chips for a while and heard about this restaurant which actually sells a variety of fish. This is one of the few places that you can get Atlantic Cod. Now "Cod" is quite a generic term applied to many different species of fish. Atlantic Cod can be considered THE Cod. It's the one that the English use for their Fish n Chips and its also the same fish used to make the dreaded Cod Liver Oil. Yukk.
We sometimes confuse Atlantic Cod with Canadian Black Cod which is also known in Japan as Gindara. We sometimes call it Snow Fish (Pic Right). This should be rightly called the Sablefish which is now being farmed in the US and Canada in the arctic region. In contrast, the Atlantic Cod is now on the endangered species list. The Snow Fish has got a delicate, oily flesh (rich in omega 3 fatty acids --good for lowering cholesterol) which is quite different to the Atlantic Cod which has a dry and flaky texture.
If you are used to the local version of Fish n Chips, you might find the Fish n Chips here a bit bland. Mr Morten, the Danish owner cum chef is determined to keep the Fish n Chips as authentic as possible. That means that the fish only get a dash of salt and pepper before being dipped into a light batter. That way you get to savour the real taste of the fish. 4.25/5
Conclusion
I was really pleased to be able to find Cod Fish n Chips! It was a great change from the usual Cream Dory. The fish here is very fresh as Mr Morten gets directly from a Singapore based Norwegian Fish trader. Prices are pretty reasonable as well. I remember that Harry Ramsden's used to sell Cod Fish for $26-$30! So, don't just restrict yourself to Cream Dory, get some Cod for a change!
Fishermen's Wharf
27/29 New Bridge Road
Opposite Central Shopping Centre
97876018
Open 11.30am to 10pm daily
18 comments:
arh!! always passed by tis place whenever i took bus home! always wanted to try out e fish n chips here.. i like e fish n chips in aust. e sign board somehow reminds me of e fish n chips stores in fremantle! =)
tried this place when it just started 2-3 years back because it was near my office. the service was terrible and i remembered flies swarming around us while we tucked into a rather mediocre meal of f&c. hopefully, it has improved since then because we never went back to the restaurant ever since. =p
The place is actually called Fishermen's Wharf.. have been eating there a couple of times recently.. really like the fish and chips there.. one of the places where malt vinegar is available to go with the meal..
oooo...after reading ieats review and having not eaten F&C for at least a year, went down to try today around 3pm...had the garoupa fillet for $12.50, not to bad...the batter could have been crispier and seasoned slightly saltier...guess its because I compare it to Jamie Oliver's recipe that I usually use...here's the recipe for those who want to try : )
For the chips:
3 3/4 pints (2 liters) vegetable oil
2 pounds (950 grams) floury potatoes, like russets, peeled and cut into large chips
For the batter:
1 cup plain flour
1 cup beer
2 egg whites, whipped to soft peaks
Salt
4 (9 ounce/250 gram) fillets haddock or cod, skin on, and pin boned
Pour all the vegetable oil into a deep pan or deep fat fryer, and heat to 300 degrees F (160 degrees C.) Blanch the cut potatoes in the oil until soft, but not colored, about 4 minutes. Remove and drain.
Mix together the flour and the beer, then fold in the egg whites. Turn up the heat of the oil to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Dip the fish in the batter and fry for a few minutes with the chips until golden brown.
Hey Liverpool, I was at Central yesterday. Could have another lunch with u.
ah...next time give me a call!! ; ) usually take a break at around 2plus
ooo... I love Jamie Oliver - The Nake Chef!!! He's cute and he can COOK! ;P
Anyway, best f&c eaten so far was in England! Maybe it is the vinegar?? Ate it every other day while studying there.
Tried Harry Ramsden with SCS long ago, tot was too oily and expensive.
Will give Fishermen's Wharf a try! :)
i was there today around 12plus.. tot of tabao-ing back to my office before i start work & wanted to claim for my meals..
e place is big but there's only 2 tables been occupied. after i ordered i passed e money to e one & only server and shock number 1: he gave me back my change from a small pouch.
i requested from e one & only server tat i wanted e receipt. after i mentioned e word "receipt", e guy stood there "shocked" as if it's e first time in his life tat he heard e word!!! after a while, he replied me tat they dun have receipt (shock number 2)...
i was like: wat?? such a big place n u dun even have a cash register (or issue receipts)?? in my heart, i was thinking, in tat case, how do they track their sales?? wouldn't money be missing at e time as all payment r kept in a small pouch?? wat kind of era is tis alrdy? even a small neighborhood minimart has a cash register, let alone a "big" eatery in CBD area??
in case, anyone is going down to eat, pls remember to bring cash as tat's e only mode of payment!!
Tried the alantic cod, prawns, wasnt that impressed to go back again. Everything there seemed to be deep fried, I tot it'll be nice to have some panfried or grilled fish since they are all quite fresh.
but isn't fish n chips supposed to be deep fried?
although e pictures tat ieat took were very tempting but e kind of service there had made me stay away from them.. sadly.. =(
i dont think the service is bad la...just not personable.
with regards to the lack of a cash register...i think it kinda gives them a less commercial, laid-back feel, which is rather attractive really. Makes them more special and less run-of-the-mill.
another place for great fish n chips at reasonable prices is at northpoit basement food court in yishun central. its an aussie outfit located at the corner. at food court prices, it doesnt get any better
should really try the one @ toa payoh blk 177. :D it's pretty good.
I agree with the blogger.. Hate those Singapore Pacific Dory Fish and chips. Basically it's catfish from the freshwater rivers.
Cod fish or even Haddock are the rockstars for fish n Chips!!!
i quite liked the one at Greenwood Fish market or whatever its called.
the one which serves food at the back of the premises, where the front is selling fresh produce.
this is located at greenwood avenue, a few doors away from Lana cake shop.
Its on the blog
http://ieatishootipost.blogspot.com/2007/09/greenwood-fish-market-ultimate-fish-n.html
yeah! try the TP blk 177 one.
the deep fried dory fillet fish(picture) looks very yummy yum yum, anyone knows the secret recipe?
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