New Artisanal Butchery At Toa Payoh HDB Void Deck Has CNY-Friendly Shabu Pork & Seafood

The chic takeaway space next to a HDB lift landing looks more like a shop we’d find in an upscale neighbourhood like Bukit Timah.

Here, you can buy imported cheeses by weight, a selection of steaks and hams, handcrafted French butter bars as well as chilled premium seafood, dried gourmet goods like pasta and even wine and kombucha.

Despite its atas inventory, the shop has a convivial neighbourhood mama shop vibe (read: no snooty staff judging you for not knowing at least 24 types of pâté). When we dropped by to shop, we got friendly service from the staff who patiently explained their exotic products to us. If you’re new to artisanal foods, this is a decent place to educate yourself without being intimidated.

A chiller displays the cuts of meat available for the day, like Australian Grain-Fed Rib-Eye ($11.50 for 100g). You can also order more options via the e-shop on Carv’s website for delivery, such as USA Prime Short Ribs ($26.50 for around 240g-260g) and the reunion dinner hotpot-friendly Kagoshima A4 Wagyu Shabu Beef Slices ($51.60 for around 200g) and USA Kurobuta Pork Collar Shabu ($10.50 for 150g).

There’s also the fancier Boneless Iberico Jowl ($17.80 for around 260g), and pre-marinated meat like Cajun Chicken ($8.90 for half). If you’re planning to make your own burgers, the shop has ready-made Beef Burger Patties ($4.50 per piece). The butchery will also roll out a selection of charcuterie boards for the upcoming Chinese New Year.

You can also get seafood like UK Cod Fillet ($85/kg), New Zealand King Salmon ($19.90 for 450g) and Octopus Legs ($22.50).

There are about eight types of cheeses available during our visit, sold by weight. This ranges from French-imported brie to the ultra-gourmet Queso De Oveja Curado Con Trufa ($115/kg), a truffle-infused ewes’ milk cheese from Spain.

If you don’t know your parmigiano reggiano from your stilton, the staff is on hand to recommend picks. The cheeses are also sliced on the spot and packed in paper or vacuum-sealed.

The pretty French butter bars sold here are meant to be added to dishes or enjoyed smeared on good toast. They have wacky names like Kiss No More (garlic herb butter, $4.50 for 100g) and black truffle-infused Marble ($7.90 for 100g).

Other than raw food, the butchery also offers pantry staples like pasta, salt, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, jams and crackers for cheese.

#01-1221, 206 Toa Payoh North, S310206. Tel: 9388-9909. Open daily 10am-7pm. www.carvbutchery.com.

Photos: Yip Jieying