Food Picks: Spiced delights at Mr Kebab in Whampoa Drive

SINGAPORE – The stall may be called Mr Kebab, but its star dish is undoubtedly Mandi Rice With Chicken ($8). It comes with half a grilled spring chicken, which is fork-tender and infused with the sweet flavours of cardamom, cinnamon, star anise and clove. 

Stall owner Wael Ibrahim Ahmed Sonkor, 51, who is from Egypt, is generous with the portion of accompanying rice, which can easily feed two small eaters. But even those on a diet may find it hard to resist savouring spoonfuls of the long, slender grains of yellow-tinged basmati rice.

The secret to its appeal is a warm smokiness imparted by habbatus sauda (Nigella sativa), also known as black seed and is a spice favoured in Egyptian cooking. The spice conjures up a smoky and savoury taste, reminiscent of onion and cumin. The rice does not leave an oily aftertaste.

Skip using chilli as a dip. Instead, go for the zingy housemade sahawiq – a mildly spicy, garlicky dipping sauce which contains tomato. 

While meat stacked into a cone shape and grilled on a turning vertical rotisserie is referred to as shawarma in Arabic, Mr Wael Ibrahim uses the word kebab as locals here are more familiar with it.

The Kebab Chicken ($5 each, $12 for three) is a hefty roll packed with fresh lettuce, tomatoes and slices of chicken shawarma. Mr Wael Ibrahim adds mayonnaise and sweet chilli sauce to the filling to cater to local tastes. 

He also sells Arabic Pita with a choice of chicken ($6) and beef ($6.50), which has a filling similar to the kebab.

A popular option is Fries Kebab With Chicken ($6), which comprises slices of chicken shawarma with crisp thick-cut fries and a side salad.

Where: 01-04 Whampoa Makan Place, 90 Whampoa Drive
Open: 11am to 9pm (Wednesdays to Mondays), closed on Tuesdays
Tel: 8881-1518