Chen's Mapo Tofu

Ambience and service of this place is excellent. The aircon here is also nice and cool. Food however was not really to my preference. Mala Tofu Signature rice was ok, side dishes were ok as well. Overall a pleasant experience, loved the aircon here though! Star Vista is really a hot place despite it being Singapore’s first naturally cooled mall.

We like Chen's because they serve tasty fast food style concept Sze Chuan cuisine, that is very consistent and of very high quality. First time I had Chef's Kentaro's mapo tofu was at the 2 star Michelin Shinsen Hanten and was floored by what amazing mapo tofu tastes like. His casual dining concept is also great. For example, the short grain rice they use is high quality and cooked to perfection, whilst the mapo tofu dish itself uses very soft silken tofu with a balanced kick of the szechuan peppercorns and the other flavors. The tofu and rice/noodles go very well with each other. We also had the Nasu Don, non spicy eggplant dish as well as sides of Szechuan popcorn chicken Szechuan dumplings. Worthy of the Bib Gourmand in my humble opinion.

My very first try. I must warn it’s not exactly on the cheap side It’s quite on the high side but the taste nonetheless is good. It’s not those cheap typical mala powder overwhelming the food KFC mala fried chicken kind of Mala failed big time Chen’s Mapo Tofu have that distinctive taste yet not nonsense plain throw in those powder Can eat can try but can’t be regular *if you enjoy my non sponsored comments , feel free to follow and let’s talk about food & life*

I tried this restaurant in Star Vista because it touted Michelin Bib Gourmand 2019. Place is pleasant and staff were helpful and friendly. Food-wise it was a little disappointing for my taste. I ordered the signature combo which featured both their signature Mapo Don rice and dry Dan Dan Mien. I felt the oiliness of the Mapo Tofu overpowered the flavor while the noodles too salty. I enjoyed the soup so maybe I should have asked for soup Mien instead. The hot vegetable side was nicely seasoned and cooked but it was cold on top and warm at the bottom, which meant it was sitting out in the aircon for a while.

Chen’s Mapo Tofu famous for their Sichuan-inspired Donburi & Noodles & being awarded Michelin Bib Gourmand for 2019 / 2021. Upon tasting I can understand why. What I tried, Signature Combo, which came with a half portion of their award-winning Mapo Don, & a half portion of their Dan Dan Mien. I ordered the level 3 for my Mapo Don & I didn't regret. My Mapo Don arrived in an inviting dark red colour & is very fragrant. I mentally prep myself it's going be very extremely fiery hot but it was less fiery than I anticipated. Don't get me wrong. It is spicy but is the kind of very addictive spicy kick that keeps you wanting more & is so flavourful. The silky immensely smooth tofu also fell apart easily in my mouth & pairing it well with the spicy gravy with a creamy finish. The fluffy short-grain rice soaked up the gravy very well, making me go spoon after spoon. Dan Dan Mien I had the dry version which was topped with a heap of minced meat. Must say this is nailed so well! The savoury-sweet, umami flavours of the peanut sauce coating well on each strand of the springy noodles giving it a umami nutty flavour. Shoyu Buta Don With extremely thinly-sliced Szechuan spiced pork stir-fried with onions & leek lay atop a bed of fluffy rice. The perfectly oozy onsen egg just make it more perfect! You get the umami flavour from the spiced pork, a poke on the oozing onsen egg and a good mix with the steamed rice just make it so satisfying. Szechwan Popcorn Chicken. The popcorn chicken is so irresistibly crispy and very flavourful from the Szechuan spiced. Pack a mild spicy punch, making it an addictive bites. Spicy Szechwan Dumplings. The skin was thin and filled with juicy flavourful minced meat. Flavour bomb! Szechwan Century Egg & Tofu. Soft silky tofu and century egg in mild spicy sauce that taste slightly sweet as well and is very refreshing. A great cold dish that does to help combat the spice from the Mapo tofu! Sliced Pork Belly With Pickled Chilli Sauce. Eye appealing Szechwan style pork slices that wonderfully combine taste of deliciously Pickled Chilli Sauce, that's full of punchy flavour. I must say the Bib Gourmand is well deserved! Follow me on Ig: @zoey_belle_ Tiktok: zozobelle_

The mapo tofu comes in Don/noodle, and the side dishes were excellent. There are three levels of spiciness for you to choose from. Their service was excellent too. Highly recommend and definitely will be back for more.

I would have given this a 5* if I was having just the mapo and pork rice dishes. The noodles were average while the sides were underwhelming except popcorn chicken. The mapo tofu is indeed the best dish. Well seasoned and tasted like 60-79% of the shisen hanten restaurant. I found the gravy too thick on this one. Black pork was great and appetitzing.

Had a small expectation seeing all that Michelin recommendation posted outside the stall, which inclined myself to giving it a try. Although I didn’t try their signature Mapo tofu, their Buta bowl was phenomenal. I like how tender the pork was, the spring onion combined with their dark sauce made every bite delightful. Not to mention, since it was a set the popcorn chicken was so addictive with all that spices mixed into it.