Chachako Review: Grilled Western Lunch Sets From $12.90 And Stretchy Cheese Toasties At Jurong

Chachako is a new dining spot in the West

Update: Chachako has permanently closed.

A westie all my life, I’ve fought hard over the East versus West battle. New and interesting food spots like Chachako get me buzzing with excitement all the time. This grillroom at Jurong Point is a cut above the rest, fusing Western cooking techniques with a melange of intense Asian flavours to whip up good food at nett prices.

Food at Chachako

At Chachako, grilled isn’t a word to be taken lightly – it is a principle. You can smell and taste the proof with the food that comes out from the kitchen.

Make a beeline down for their value-for-money weekday lunch sets from 11am to 2pm.

I highly recommend the Black Angus Ribeye Set ($17.90), which comes with a side of Grain of Truth, Sautéed Vegetable Combo, Soup of the Day, and a drink. If not for the lunch promotion, the 180 grams of beef alone would have set you back $32.90.

Every slice of beef had a good Maillard brown sear and emblematic grill marks, with the insides still beautifully pink. Customise your order by choosing from six house-made sauces, such as Peppery BBQ, Tom Yum, and Korean Hot Sauce.

We chose a simple Salt & Pepper rub, so as to enjoy the true flavour of the beef.

Juicy is the slab of chicken from the Boneless Chicken Thigh Set ($12.90). Pairing it with the Peppery BBQ sauce was a match made in heaven. You will first taste the smoky aroma of the grill, followed by a subtle tangy flavour from the thick sauce.

The Grilled Salmon ($22.90) was definitely the star of the meal as an a la carte. Get it with their piquant Chermoula sauce, which is a Mediterranean mix of lemon, garlic, herbs, and spices.

The skin on the fish was grilled to a crisp, and the fatty omega-3 carried the bulk of the delicate oceanic flavour.

All lunch sets come with the Grain of Truth, which is essentially sticky brown rice rolled into sushi balls.

Sharing is caring. Use this as an excuse to order Chachako’s signature dish: Tom Yum Curry Salmon ($17.90). Tom yum and curry can be overbearing characters in the kitchen, but here they lift and bring out the flavours of the salmon even more.

Even though Chachako is only a few weeks old, there’s already a steady stream of customers coming in for their unique cheese-filled toasted paninis, called Fantastic Toasties.

Between 8am and 11am as well as 2pm and 5pm, enjoy either the Sugar & Cheese or Kaya & Cheese Toasties with a hot coffee or tea for only $5. This breakfast and tea time set is great for cheese lovers looking for a quick bite.

If you’re hankering for something more savoury, add $1 for the Ham & Cheese or Kiasu Katsu. The latter has a breaded chicken cutlet, fried egg, and melted cheese hidden within.

Ambience at Chachako

Chachako evokes a Los Angeles streetside ambience, with a life-sized Volkswagen hippie van at the storefront, and an eye-catching graffiti wall at the side. There are individual tables for couple dates, cosy cushioned seats for small gatherings, and long tables for big family dinners; making this place a good choice for any occasion.

The verdict

Chachako is great for its value-for-money and delicious grilled food. However, this hip new dining spot won’t just be another option for weekend dinners, as it opens at 8am every day. I will definitely be back for their toasties, whenever I’m craving for a cheesy snack.

Address: 1 Jurong West Central 2, #01-32, Jurong Point, Singapore 648886
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 10pm
Tel: 6316 5827
Website
Chachako is not a halal-certified eatery, but their food contains no pork or lard.

Photos taken by Pichan Cruz.
This post is brought to you by Chachako.