The last time we visited Eightisfy Western, we were impressed by their pastas and XXL platters. This time, the popular Bukit Merah stall at Maddox Canteen Bar has launched a new menu, featuring an expanded range of wallet-friendly pastas. The handmade pastas are prepared daily using premium ingredients, so we couldn’t resist heading down to check them out!
Before diving in, it’s worth noting that the new pasta menu is only available during dinner, from 5:30pm to 8pm. You can also get a range of hearty Western dishes here, from grilled fish to chicken chops. These are only served during lunch hours from Tuesday to Friday between 11:30am and 2:30pm.
We started with the Squidink Tagliatelle ($19.80), which was truly a sight to behold: a heap of jet–black squid ink tagliatelle tossed in a creamy tomato sauce, served with cherry tomatoes, shrimp, and garlic, then topped with two grilled tiger prawns.
Every bite boasted a myriad of flavours, from the aromatic garlic and spicy black pepper to the sweet-tangy tomato sauce, which paired harmoniously with the briny freshness of the seafood and prawn stock.
We also appreciated how the cherry tomatoes were cooked till soft and tender, gently bursting with a refreshing, juicy tang.
Better yet, the tiger prawns were large and meaty, with a hint of smokiness from the grill. It would have been even better if they were just a bit more tender and juicy.
Next, we had the Mini Lobster Tagliolini ($21.80), featuring tagliolini doused in a garlicky tomato sauce, served with chunks of tender lobster meat, chopped prawns, cherry tomatoes, and shreds of Japanese seaweed.
While the sauce was a tad too runny for us, the flavours made up for it. Like the Squidink Tagliatelle, it was bold yet well-balanced, blending rich seafood notes with the zesty tomato base.
The dish also came with a generous amount of lobster and prawns, enough to get at least one or two pieces in each bite.
We also tried the Mafalde Duck Ragu ($19.80), starring pasta cooked to a perfect al dente, coated in a meaty duck ragu and served with cherry tomatoes and stewed duck, before being garnished with fresh parsley and parmesan cheese.
Made with duck stock and plenty of shredded duck, this pasta was the richest of the lot. It was the kind of dish to toe the line between indulgent and jelak, where the tomato lent a delicious tang that cut through the heavy flavours. We also liked how it wasn’t gamey, even with all the duck meat.
Texture-wise, the duck meat was succulent and tender. The ridges in the pasta were a nice touch, too, helping to soak up all of the luscious sauce.
On the other hand, the Pistachio Pesto ($18.80) was much lighter on the palate. The plate came with long strands of fettuccine tossed in a house-made pistachio pesto sauce, topped with cherry tomatoes, sundried tomatoes, fresh basil, parmesan slices, olive oil, and a sprinkle of crushed pistachio.
The light and earthy flavours made this our favourite pasta dish. It was creamy, with a fragrant, nutty and herby depth, but not cloying, making it easy to wipe the plate clean.
The texture was also impressive; the pistachio lent a gritty yet pleasant mouthfeel to the thick and velvety pesto sauce.
Lastly, we tried one of their lunch menu items, the Black Pepper Grilled Fish ($7.80).
Cutting into the grilled Dory revealed incredibly soft and moist flesh. Given how succulent it was, we know that we still would’ve enjoyed the fish on its own, even without the generous lashing of black pepper sauce.
FYI, Eightisfy Western also offers their grilled fish plain for $7.30 and with their Garlic Sauce for $7.80.
Eightisfy Western is one of the few stalls located at Maddox Canteen Bar, which, unfortunately, is quite inconvenient to travel to. Located approximately one to two kilometres from both Redhill MRT Station and Tiong Bahru MRT Station, we’re not sure how willing we are to take a bus, and then navigate through the buildings of business centres where the eatery is hidden. Its location also means that it can get especially packed during peak hours, as office workers seek a quick meal nearby.
The place is pretty clean and breezy though, and we can imagine that it gets pretty vibey here at night, with the fairy lights strung over the al fresco dining seats.
Overall, Eightisfy Western did not disappoint. Their new pasta dishes impressed us not just with their flavours, but also with their generous portions. Granted, they’re slightly pricier than your average hawker fare, but we’d argue that the quality justifies the cost. That said, given its inconvenient location, we don’t see ourselves making the trip down too often.
For more Western hawker fare, check out our Swag & Sizzle review for steaks and burgers by ex-L’Entrecote chefs in Tanjong Pagar. Alternatively, read our guide to the best western food stalls in Singapore for old-school chicken chop, XXL fish and chips and more!
Address: 3752 Bukit Merah Central, Maddox Canteen Bar, Singapore 159848
Opening hours: Tue–Fri 11:30am to 2:30pm, 5:30pm to 8pm, Sat 5:30pm to 8pm
Website
Eightisfy Western is not a halal-certified eatery.
Photos taken by Paula Formantes.
This was a media tasting at Eightisfy Western.
Summary
Pros:
– Value-for-money dishes
– Large portion sizes with generous ingredients
– Flavours in the pastas were robust and well-balanced
Cons:
– Inconvenient location
– Sauce in the Mini Lobster Tagliolini was a tad too runny
Recommended dishes: Pistachio Pesto ($18.80), Mafadale Duck Ragu ($19.80), Squidink Tagliatelle ($19.80)
Address: 3752 Bukit Merah Central, Maddox Canteen Bar, Singapore 159848