We are just hours away from celebrating New Year’s Eve, and everyone in my office is still busy catching up on whatever tasks they need to complete today. Tomorrow is a holiday, so we wanted to finish as much as possible to avoid any leftover work greeting us on the first day of the new year.
Everything felt mundane, so I decided to change that. For today’s lunch, I had something I rarely eat; claypot rice at A-One restaurant.
A-One is a Chinese restaurant specializing in claypot dishes, with their bestseller being claypot porridge. Although porridge is their most popular item, I opted for the dry version, a choice I’ll explain later in this post.
I arrived at the restaurant a little after 1:00 PM. Surprisingly, there was only one other customer, which was odd because I remember this place being at least half full during lunchtime. For a moment, I regretted my choice of restaurant, but I had already made up my mind to give it a try, so I went ahead.
The restaurant has a cozy and spacious atmosphere with comfortable bench seating. While I didn’t sit at their standard dining tables, they also seemed quite comfortable. What I particularly liked was the availability of tables specifically designed for solo diners.
I ordered the Braised Chicken with Mushroom Claypot Rice and a glass of warm barley drink. I love barley for its health benefits, and their version wasn’t overly sweet—just a hint of sweetness with a slightly creamy taste that I found enjoyable.
While waiting for my food, I took some photos of the restaurant and browsed through their menu. I often explore the menu to pass the time and get ideas for future visits. They offer a variety of dishes, but I was content with my choice for today.
As I returned to my table, a staff member brought the cutlery and my drink. She also offered me some boiled peanuts, but I politely declined since I knew they weren’t complimentary. At S$2.90 per saucer, they seemed a bit pricey for a solo lunch. If I’d been dining with friends, I would’ve gladly accepted because the peanuts are quite good. However, they’re also filling, and I didn’t want them to spoil my appetite.
Finally, my food arrived! I was immediately excited as the delightful aroma of the claypot dish reached me. The pot emitted a smoky aroma, accompanied by the satisfying sizzle of the rice at the bottom. The claypot was served on a separate dish to prevent burns, as it was still very hot.
The first thing to do with a claypot dish is to wait a few minutes before mixing it. This allows some of the rice to toast while the rest remains soft and steamy. I love the toasted rice bits for their smoky aroma and crunchy texture. This is the best part of claypot rice—the variety of textures created by the intense heat of the pot.
The star of the dish was the braised chicken, but the braised mushrooms were equally delightful. Thin slices of Chinese sausage added a special touch, while bits of dried fish mixed into the rice delivered surprising bursts of salty, umami-rich flavor.
I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of eating this claypot dish. It’s not something I have often, but it’s always flavorful and satisfying.
Claypot rice at A-One was a delightful treat that brought a burst of comforting flavors and textures to my otherwise routine day. The mix of smoky, crunchy, and savory elements reminded me why claypot dishes are so special and worth savoring. This experience has inspired me to explore more traditional dishes in the future, and I can’t wait to share them with you!
Food review summary:
- Name of Restaurant: A-One Claypot House
- Location: Kallang Wave Mall Singapore
- Dish Ordered: Braised Chicken & Mushroom claypot rice
- Drinks Ordered: Hot Barley drink
- Price Range: S$10.00 to S$30.00
- Ambiance: Modern interior decoration
