All Asian cuisine is not created equal. In fact, cuisine from certain regions can be hard to find, even in New York City. Luckily, those searching for authentic Singaporean hawker food can rest easy. Chef Simpson Wong’s Chomp Chomp brings street food to the next level in the bustling West Village. As it’s hard to find in the United States, we’ve discovered that this niche cuisine was something we didn’t realize we were missing…until now.
The interior, described as old-school Southeast Asian chic, is very chic indeed. Adorned with antique wooden doors, exposed brick, and dim lighting, the restaurant definitely gives you an old school vibe, in a good way. Looking around you’ll keep discovering new decorations or watch the chefs at work in the open kitchen and even spy the mixologists at work at the bar. But aside from the rustic decor, Chomp Chomp boasts meals unlike any other. Designed to be enjoyed family style, the menu includes an array of treats for the palate. Start off with Hah Zheung Gai, shrimp paste-coated crispy fried chicken wings and you’ll know you’ve found a good spot. They might sound a little out of the norm for your standard wings, but there babies are delicious!
Don’t miss the noodles here, either. The Hokkien Mee, a Southern Chinese-style bowl of egg noodles with shrimp and spares ribs in a pork and seafood broth will be gobbled up in no time, and will leave you craving it weeks later. Other favorites on the menu include dishes like Peranakan-style Chap Chue, a vegetarian stir fry of mushrooms, tofu, vegetables and glass noodles, Tau eu Bak, a Teochew dish comprised of pork belly braised in soy and garlic, and Popiah, a homespun summer roll filled with shrimp and sauteed jicama.
Along with the meal, guests should enjoy one of the restaurant’s signature cocktails, which incorporate some Southeast Asian flavors and really pack a punch. Dessert is equally tasty, with the Goreng Pisana, aka fried banana fritters, hitting it out of the park.
If you’re on the lookout to try something new and different, look no further than this West Village haunt. You’re welcome.
