Forty Hands East Coast: Scrumptious Brunches in an East Coast Shophouse

Those familiar with the brunch scene in Singapore will know that Forty Hands isn’t new— having been around in the picturesque neighbourhood of Tiong Bahru for years. In fact, the Tiong Bahru outlet’s just reached a decade of serving out delicious brunch plates and great coffee.

Two years ago, they moved over to join the hotspot of cafes at the Joo Chiat and Katong area. But as someone living in the West, and the Tiong Bahru outlet being the go-to for my Forty Hands fix, I’ve never sought out the chance to head down, until... last week.

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But I’m pleased to report my experience along the East Coast was as great as all the times I’ve been to the one at Tiong Bahru.

The busy patterned tiles, colourful murals and posters lining the floor and walls respectively, dark wood finishing, and counter near the window are what you’ll also find in the Tiong Bahru outlet, so it’s nice to see how they’ve basically transplanted a consistent atmosphere and aesthetic theme into this other space. If anything, the eclectic mix in the East Coast outlet feels a bit more like an old school coffeeshop. They did, after all, take over the space from what used to be a humble chicken rice stall.

Food wise, upon asking the waitstaff what the differences between the menu at Tiong Bahru and East Coast are, they’re chiefly the Summer Berry & Vanilla Ice Cream Waffle as well as the Stinky Har Cheong Kai Waffle, which are only available in the East Coast outlet.

Sadly, they were out of ice cream by the time I went, so I didn’t get to try the latter.

But here’s what we did have.

For starters, we had the Coachella Crab Fries (S$13) with spicy crab claw meat and aioli sauce, which was a combination I was intrigued by. The aroma of the crab meat combined with the truffle was strong though, so those not a fan of heavily aromatic foods might not be the biggest fan. Personally though, I quite loved it, and it preps one for the taste to come. The serving of crab meat and aioli sauce was just the right amount in my opinion, and overall a great starter to whet one’s appetite for mains.

Next, the Croque Monsieur (S$16), with an option to add S$2 for a fried egg.

Keeping it within the family, the croissant is branded under Tiong Bahru Bakery, served with honey baked ham and topped with a generous amount of cheese shavings. For me, what makes this dish is actually the croissant. Delightfully crispy and buttery, it’s easy to why this is a winner on the menu.

The Stinky Har Cheong Kai Waffle (S$19) may not read as the most appetising dish, but is essentially just like any other fried chicken on waffles dish. The chicken was fried to a perfect golden brown, and was both crispy, as well as remarkably juicy and tender on the inside. Matched with sambal maple syrup (yes, you read that right) and a sunny side up, I’ll say that Forty Hands does one of the better iterations of this dish out of all that I’ve tried.

Over on the drinks menu, you’ll find a dependable selection of great coffee with beans roasted by Common Man, once again keeping it within the family. I had their Shaken Honey Oat Latte (S$8.50) which I really enjoyed. Those who like their coffee on the sweeter end will definitely love this, and I liked the way the rim of the glass was garnished like a cocktail.

Overall, the success of Forty Hands is easy to understand after dining in both their Tiong Bahru and East Coast outlets. Planted in buzzed about areas that draw in crowds every single day looking to brunch, a delightful mix of classic cafe favourites with some quirky takes and an infusion of Asian flavours, decent prices, great coffee, and a uniquely Forty Hands interior lending to a warm and cosy atmosphere, they’ve clearly found a formula that works for them.

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There’s a reason why I’ve been visiting the Tiong Bahru outlet for years, and why they’ve become quite a staple for me.

Forty Hands East Coast is another winner, and considering the way Forty Hands kickstarted a new wave of cafes way back when, I’m excited to see what else this group will come up with. Because clearly, they’re here to stay, and the island is better for it.

WHERE | 226 EAST COAST RD, SINGAPORE 428923