‘Rude’ Lucky Plaza Nasi Ayam Goreng Seller Expands Biz, Opens New Westside Outlet At Holland Drive
Customers flock to “Mr Grumpy’s” eatery for his very sedap fried chicken rice, but the risk is just as great as the reward. Clueless folks who don’t follow Shafiie’s rules like ordering before grabbing a seat will earn themselves a robust scolding from him.
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West side location
Speaking to 8days.sg, Shafiie says he had considered several locations including Clementi before settling on Holland Drive, as he saw potential in the office crowd that throng the coffeeshop on weekdays.
Weekends are quieter at his new stall, which he opened with two business partners. “I opened on Friday so [my kitchen team] can settle in first,” shares Shafiie, who streamlined his operations by hiring dedicated staff for cashiering and cooking. So if you want a plate of chicken rice without jostling with people, you know when to drop by.But the mercurial boss will still be based at his OG Lucky Plaza eatery, which was opened by his mother some 20 years ago before he took over. “People can sit anywhere in a coffeeshop, so they won’t get scolded by me lah,” he deadpans.
We notice the loud bright yellow signboard at the Holland Drive stall, which is emblazoned with a bold new claim: #1 Nasi Ayam Goreng In Town!
“Aiyah, ownself say one lah,” Shafiie remarks. “My friends said it’s good to put that up because it attracts more attention when customers walk in.”
The menu
Like Fiie’s Cafe, its outlets specialise in just one dish: Signature Nasi Ayam ($6.50). There are no combo sets offered at Holland Drive (unlike Lucky Plaza), but you can still order a la carte sides like quail eggs, bergedil and sambal hotdogs at $1 a portion. Additional servings are priced at $5 for chicken and $1 for rice.
8days.sg had a plate of nasi ayam goreng here and found the food just as good. Instead of plain white rice, the nasi here is cooked with flavourful chicken fat and has the subtle fragrance of Hainanese-style chicken rice.
It is served with your choice of crispy chicken thigh or breast (we recommend the juicier thigh meat), battered and deep-fried to a golden finish, plus batter crumbs, cucumber slices and a yummy bowl of cloudy mee soto-style soup. We like the punchy sambal quail eggs and delicate bergedil here too.
According to Shafiie, he prepares the ayam goreng spice marinade at his Lucky Plaza shop (“it’s a secret family recipe,” he says) before transporting it to his two hawker outlets. His staff then marinate and fry the chickens at the stalls.
After getting his Holland Drive outlet on track, Shafiie is looking at opening two other Mr Grumpy branches. He says: “I am thinking of opening in Tampines, but it will depend on how this current outlet turns out!”
Mr Grumpy by Fiie’s Cafe is at #01-75 S-11 Coffeeshop, 43 Holland Dr, S270043. Open daily 11am-8pm, or till sold out. www.instagram.com/mistergrumpyfriedchicken.
Photos: Yip Jieying
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